"'So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do...to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full'"
(Matthew 6:2).
We feel good about some people being in the limelight: firefighters, police officers, and members of the military who risk their lives to protect and save others. We are happy to see Olympic medal winners and honor students have their moments in the limelight. But when people resort to dishonest means to get fame and publicity, it does not sit well with us.
The church in Jerusalem heartily recognized Barnabas as a self-sacrificing individual. He had sold some land and donated the money for the needy. But then Ananias and his wife Sapphira tried to gain the limelight by selling their property and pretending to donate the entire amount of the transaction to help the needy. They could have kept part of the profit or even all of it, because they were under no obligation to donate it at all. However, they conspired to lie to God and man about the sale amount. When their conspiracy was revealed, they paid for their limelight worship with their lives. God values humility and integrity.
© 2009 by HAVEN Ministries. All rights reserved.
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