Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they.

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet.

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Acts 4:32-5:11 (ESV)

How are we to understand the phrase that they “had everything

in common?”


in common?”

How should the church operatein light of this passage?


in common?”

How should the church operatein light of this passage?

How should we understandthe death penalty for lying?

The idea of sharing possessionsand taking care of the poor

is not unique to the New Testament.


is not unique to the New Testament.

The Old Testament law containsa good deal of material regarding

the taking care of the poor.

“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. . . You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ Deuteronomy 15:7-8, 10-11 (ESV)


is not unique to the New Testament.The Old Testament law contains

a good deal of material regardingthe taking care of the poor.

- Those who had money were to generously give to those in need. (Deuteronomy 15)





- Landowners were to leave gleanings for the poor. (Leviticus 19:9-10, Ruth)





- Landowners were to leave gleanings for the poor. (Leviticus 19:9-10, Ruth)

- The year of jubilee gave land back to families that might have lost it. (Leviticus 8:8-38)

Three reasons that we are totake care of the poor.


All people are created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)



All members of the body of ChristHave the Spirit. Thus they are

endowedby the Spirit with gifts.

(I Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4:11-13)



All members of the body of ChristHave the Spirit. Thus they are

endowedby the Spirit with gifts.

(I Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4:11-13)

All of us were once so deep in debtthat we were unable to pay.

(Matthew 18:23-35)

Two Mistakes

Two Mistakes

The assertion of individual autonomy. (Right)

Two Mistakes


I create my own wealth. I am the responsible party. I owe nothing to anybody.

Two Mistakes



- God owns everything. (Psalm 24:1-2, Psalm 5:7-10, Haggai 2:8)

Two Mistakes



- God owns everything. (Psalm 24:1-2, Psalm 5:7-10, Haggai 2:8)

- If God desires, he can take everything from you. (Job)

Two Mistakes

Two Mistakes

We secularize this responsibility. (Left)

Two Mistakes


The government is responsible.Let it take care of these matters.

Two Mistakes



- The government does not acknowledge the image of God or Christ in others.

Two Mistakes



- The government does not acknowledge the image of God or Christ in others.

- It gives without asking much in the way of contributions from the recipients.

How should we take care of the poor?


We need to be ready totake care of the poor.

We have a responsibilityand we are called to do so.


We need to be ready totake care of the poor.

We have a responsibilityand we are called to do so.

We need to look for and be ready to acknowledge the gifting and

calling that God has for those who are now poor.

What should we make of the punishment

of Ananias and Sapphira?



1. This couple did not care about the poor.




2. They wanted the church to focus its attention on them.





3. Their actions are insidious, and would have eventually destroyed the

fellowship of the early church.





3. Their actions are insidious, and would have eventually destroyed the

fellowship of the early church.

4. Their punishment serves as a warning to all of about the value that

God places on His church.

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they.

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