Scripture Reading : Acts 4:32 – 5:11
Theme : The Purity of the Church
- Solidarity of the church. The first church in Jerusalem, under the teaching of the Apostles, was one where true unity was seen. No one thought of “any of the things that belonged to him was his own” and they “had everything in common”. The rich sold their belongings and brought the proceeds to the Apostles, who distributed to those who were in need. The people trusted the leaders of the church to distribute the offerings as the leaders deemed fit.
- Sincerity of the church. When a sinner clearly understood the vastness of the debt he had been forgiven, he would have a genuine love for the Lord and share the blessings that God has given him. The church at this time was filled with genuine believers, since those who did not truly believe in Jesus risked the disapproval of the Jewish leaders (persecution had not started yet) and those who were rich had nothing to gain, and were in a sense losing their earthly wealth.
- Sanction of the church. It is not a command to all Christians that they must sell everything and give to the needy in order to follow Christ, or it will simply become a legalistic requirement. When Ananias and Sapphira (tried to) lie to God, they were punished with death and suffered the detriment of their sin. 1 Samuel 15:22 “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” Those who give sincerely from their hearts, even little, will be pleasing to God, while those who do not give sincerely, even if they give much, do not please God.
Praying the Scripture
- The first church was exemplary in her unity. Let us pray that our church will also be united, where “no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own”, and that we will share generously with those who are in need.
- God wants us to be sincere in our giving. Let us pray for sincere hearts as we give generously to the church. The believers brought their offerings to the Apostles, who distributed to the poor. Therefore, we should also pray that we will learn to trust the church leaders, whom God has appointed, to manage the offerings in a god-honoring way.
- Pray that we will not boast in our giving nor seek the approval of man when we give.
经文：使徒行传4:32-5:11
主题：教会的纯洁
- 教会的团结。耶路撒冷的首间教会在众使徒的教训下能见真正的团结；“没有一人说他的东西有一样是自己的，都是大家公用”。富裕的变卖财产，并将所得献给使徒，而使徒又照各人的需要分给各人。那时，信徒在分发奉献这事上相信教会领导人的判断。
- 教会的诚意。当一个罪人看清主赦自己的罪债有何等庞大时，他会对主有真挚的爱，并将神予他的祝福分享于人。这时候的教会充满了属实的信徒，因为真实信靠耶稣的会遭犹太领袖的拒绝（逼迫未开始），且富裕的也无利益可取，甚至有可能失去地上的财富。
- 教会的裁制裁。神没有命令信徒一定要变卖一切给有需要的才能跟从基督；若是如此，这会变成一个与功德挂钩的硬性要求。当亚拿尼亚和撒非喇（尝试）欺哄神的时候，他们因为犯罪而被治死。撒母耳记上15:22说：“耶和华喜悦燔祭和平安祭，岂如喜悦人听从他的话呢？听命胜于献祭，顺从胜于公羊的脂油。”诚心献给神的，即便不多，神必喜悦，但没诚意奉献的，即便给得多，也不会蒙神喜悦。
用经文祷告
- 基督的首间教会在信徒合一上是典范。让我们祷告我们的教会也会团结一致，叫“没有一人说他的东西有一样是自己的”，总会慷慨与有需要的人分享所有。
- 神要我们诚心奉献。让我们祷告我们向教会慷慨奉献时是诚心的。信徒将奉献给予使徒，让他们分发给穷人。因此，我们也要祷告我们会学习信任神所指定的教会领导，以蒙神喜悦的方式管理奉献。
- 祈求我们不会在奉献上夸口，或寻人赞同。
