Acts 4:36 to Acts 5:11
Teaching Notes
As we come to the close of Acts 4 and enter into Acts 5, we’re met with a stark contrast—a tale of two givers that speaks volumes about the heart behind our generosity. The first, Barnabas, is introduced as a man who embodied encouragement. So much so, in fact, that the apostles nicknamed him “son of encouragement.” He was known not only for lifting others up but also for his sincere love for God and people. When he saw needs in the early church community, he responded. He sold a piece of land and brought the money to the apostles, laying it at their feet. No fanfare. No strings attached. Just a joyful act of love, prompted by the Spirit and rooted in grace.
Barnabas’ giving was a beautiful example of what Spirit-filled generosity looks like. It was voluntary—not compelled or guilt-driven. It was cheerful, not begrudging. And it was proportionate—based on what God had already blessed him with. This was grace-based giving, the kind that flows not out of religious obligation but out of deep gratitude for what Jesus has done. Barnabas held his possessions loosely because he held Christ tightly. His giving wasn’t about gaining attention; it was about responding to the overwhelming generosity of God.
And then, almost jarringly, we meet another couple—Ananias and Sapphira. Their story begins similarly. They, too, sell a piece of property. They, too, bring money to the apostles. But what seems noble on the outside is rotten at the core. They conspire to withhold part of the proceeds while pretending they gave it all. They wanted the image of generosity without the sacrifice. They wanted the praise of men without actually honoring God. In a community where grace was flowing freely, they introduced deceit—and God took it seriously.
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, calls out their lie. He makes it clear: the sin wasn’t in keeping part of the money; it was in pretending to give it all. It was hypocrisy—a mask of holiness that hid a self-serving heart. And tragically, the judgment is immediate. First Ananias, then Sapphira, fall dead. It’s a sobering moment. One that brought a wave of holy fear over the entire church. Not a fear of punishment, but a reverent awe that reminded everyone: God is not to be trifled with.
Why such swift judgment? Because the church was in its infancy. The purity of the early church mattered deeply to God. Hypocrisy, if left unchecked, could have unraveled the whole fabric of what God was building. This wasn’t about money—it was about integrity, truth, and the condition of the heart. God doesn’t judge like man does. He sees the thoughts and motives we can hide from others but never from Him.
What we learn from this passage is that God is after our hearts, not our performance. He desires worship that’s real, not rehearsed. He wants giving that’s joyful and sincere, not strategic or self-promoting. And while we may never face the kind of instant judgment that Ananias and Sapphira did, their story stands as a warning: don’t play games with grace. Don’t fake devotion for the sake of appearance. Live honestly. Give humbly. Be who you are—before God and others.
We also learn that the early church wasn’t perfect—but it was powerful. God’s Spirit was moving, people were being saved, and the fear of the Lord kept the community focused on what mattered most. In that atmosphere of grace and truth, generosity bloomed and hypocrisy was exposed. And that’s still what God desires in His church today. He wants us to be like Barnabas—encouragers, worshippers, and givers—people whose love for God spills over into real, sacrificial care for others.
May we be a church that holds loosely to the things of this world and clings tightly to Jesus. May we give not to be seen, but because we've been seen—fully known and fully loved by a generous God. And may our hearts always be aligned with His, full of grace, integrity, and a reverent awe that shapes everything we do.
