Acts 5:4
Didn’t the land belong to you before it was sold? After it was sold, you could have used the money as you wished. What made you think of doing such a thing? You haven’t lied just to people. You’ve also lied to God.”
Are you keeping part of you to yourself?
Money is a strategic weapon. You can use it to accomplish great things. However, the enemy can use it against you.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money—and what it can buy—is the root of all sorts of evil. Some already have wandered away from the true faith because they craved what it had to offer; but when reaching for the prize, they found their hands and hearts pierced with many sorrows. (The Voice TVT)
Take time to read the entire story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 (it is written below). They had an opportunity to be a blessing. The enemy used money as a weapon against them. They passed on the blessing to keep money that was already theirs.
Watch this clip:
Whoopi Goldberg was instructed by Patrick Swayze to be a blessing to the church. She was being forced. Her heart was not in it.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. (Amplified Bible AMP)
Money is your weapon against the enemy when you give unto the Lord, as long as you give it cheerfully, wholly, and completely. If you don’t give with the heart God requires, you jeopardize your effectiveness and you cut off your blessings. You cannot waiver.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (KJV)
You can’t receive anything from the Lord when you are not willing to give. What is causing your reluctance? Do you actually think you can do more with your money if you don’t give? You can’t. Do you actually think you can do more for yourself than God can? You can’t. Don’t allow money to be your goal.
Matthew 6:21 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (KJV)
Please agree with me as I pray:
Father, I’ve sung the song, “I Give Myself Away”, more times than I can count. When I began to sing that song, I did not take the time to dig below the surface to understand what I was singing. I repent for holding on while I was giving myself away. I was giving, yet sometimes I was thinking about what I could have done with the money. I was calculating to the penny what the tithe should be. I have learned to give my time, talent, tithe, offering, goods, and services. I have learned to give my all. I give according to Your plans, not mine. I give to meet Your goals, not mine. I can’t wait to give. I give with joy and hope. Please do whatever You need to do in my life, through my life, and with my life. Now that I truly understand what it means to give to my life to You, I give all of who I am, with my whole heart…
Acts 5:1-11
A man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, also sold some land. 2 He kept part of the money for himself. Sapphira knew he had kept it. He brought the rest of it and put it down at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why did you let Satan fill your heart? He made you lie to the Holy Spirit. You have kept some of the money you received for the land. 4 Didn’t the land belong to you before it was sold? After it was sold, you could have used the money as you wished. What made you think of doing such a thing? You haven’t lied just to people. You’ve also lied to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. All who heard what had happened were filled with fear. 6 Some young men came and wrapped up his body. They carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later, the wife of Ananias came in. She didn’t know what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me. Is this the price you and Ananias sold the land for?” “Yes,” she said. “That’s the price.” 9 Peter asked her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! You can hear the steps of the men who buried your husband. They are at the door. They will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at Peter’s feet and died. Then the young men came in. They saw that Sapphira was dead. So they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 The whole church and all who heard about these things were filled with fear. (New International Reader’s Version)
————
Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.