Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Opening Scripture

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:32-37

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, You are holy and worthy of praise. You are my Father, and I walk humbly in Your love. You are my Shepherd, who guides and protects me. I make myself available to You to accomplish Your will in me. I surrender every attitude, thought, and action to You. You are my Provider, and I trust You to meet my needs. Forgive me when I disappoint You and fall short. Help me to forgive others, that I might reflect Your forgiveness. Show me my sin, so I can confess it to You. Don’t let my feet stray from the path of righteousness. Protect me from Satan’s temptations, lies, and deceptions. Strengthen my faith and trust in You alone. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Acts 5:1-11

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Reflection  

Acts 2:42-47 summarizes the emerging and morphing social phenomenon that began to develop among the first followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. Their normal daily lives as first-century Jews were increasingly shaped and altered by the reality of their new faith in Jesus, the promised Messiah, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Two chapters later, in Acts 4:32-35, Luke offers a similar description of life in the early church, with some additional insights (Opening Scripture). To help clarify that last point, Luke provides two real-life examples, first with Barnabas, then with Ananias and Sapphira. They each sold property and gave the money to the church, entrusting the leaders to use it for the common good.

Barnabas (the “son of encouragement”) chose to sell a field he owned and gave all the proceeds to the apostles to use in ministry. His act of generosity was no doubt appreciated and spoken well of by the church. It served as a wonderful example of kindness and charity for the whole group.

Perhaps hoping to gain similar approval from their fellow believers, Ananias and Sapphira also sold some property. They were under no compulsion to do so, and when they did, they were free to use the money they received however they desired. Unfortunately, their greed got the best of them. They wanted glory without sacrifice. They tried to deceive the apostles – “lying to” and “testing” the Holy Spirit – to gain favor and standing in the church. They had broken a sacred trust and their punishment was swift and extreme.

The fact that Peter gave equal opportunity and responsibility to Sapphira – as well as Ananias – provides a glimpse into the radical culture of the emerging Church. In first-century Judaism, a woman’s religious standing was tied to her father or husband and depended on that Jewish male’s faithfulness to the community. Here, Sapphira is held accountable for her own choices.

The couple’s sin was one of “stealing” from the Church. The Greek word “nosphizó” means to misappropriate, embezzle, or keep back. Ananias and Sapphira collaborated to secretly and intentionally “purloin” what rightfully belonged to the “ecclesia” – to the community of faith – based on their pledge. They had broken trust with the group. Peter’s knowledge about the actual sale price seems to be divinely inspired. Nothing like this is reported elsewhere in the Book of Acts. Clearly, this was a teachable moment for everyone. “Great fear seized the whole church (ecclesia) and all who heard about these events.”

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

The “oneness in heart and mind” – the fellowship in the Spirit – that the first Christians experienced was the powerful result of unusual forces in a remarkable time. The Greek word “koinonia” conveys fellowship, sharing, partnership, and mutual contribution. It denotes active participation in a common life: relationally, spiritually, and materially.

The growing persecution by the religious leaders, the large number of people coming to faith in Christ and joining the fellowship, the expectation that Jesus could come back at any time, the miracles constantly taking place, and the radical life change brought about by the indwelling Holy Spirit combined to create a very exciting communal life. Was Luke’s account of the early Church descriptive or prescriptive?

It was essential that these new believers quickly become connected to one another and established in the apostle’s teaching in preparation for their imminent scattering. They needed to adopt new thoughts and habits – grounded in following The Jesus Way – before the diaspora that was about to take place. That is part of why “God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them.”

After Peter and John were released by the Sanhedrin, they went back to the church and reported all that happened. Then the whole group prayed: “Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

They did not beg for protection or deliverance from persecution. They did not plead for comfort or provision. They prayed for courage (parrésia) – the freedom to speak clearly and act without fear – to proclaim the Gospel, and God immediately answered their prayers. The place where they were meeting shook, they experienced the Spirit’s presence and power, and they went out and spoke the word of God boldly.

What kind of prayers are you praying these days?

This week’s collective prayer: Father, strengthen my calling to The Great Commission. Amen.

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!