Heart Matters: True Generosity vs. Deception

In the early days of the church, the Holy Spirit moved with such power that unity, generosity, miracles, and great grace were the norm among believers. The community was marked by a radical sense of togetherness—no one claimed their possessions as their own, and needs were met through sacrificial giving. Barnabas stands as a shining example of this Spirit-filled generosity, giving freely and wholeheartedly for the good of others. Yet, in the midst of this outpouring, the story of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a sobering warning: it is possible to be in the right environment, to do the right things outwardly, and yet be filled with a spirit contrary to God’s.

The difference between Barnabas and Ananias and Sapphira was not in their actions, but in their hearts. While Barnabas gave out of genuine love and obedience, Ananias and Sapphira sought recognition and approval, attempting to gain spiritual status through deception. Their compliance was external, not rooted in true obedience or love for God. This distinction is crucial—God is not impressed by outward compliance or religious performance, but by hearts that are surrendered, honest, and aligned with His Spirit.

The enemy, unable to stop the church through external threats, turned to internal sabotage, seeking to twist desires and sow deception from within. The desires we nurture and the spirit we align with will ultimately fill us—whether it is the Spirit of God or something else. We are responsible for what fills our hearts, and we must guard them diligently, setting our minds on things above and continually seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Our resources, our time, our gifts—these are all under our control. God does not demand more than we are willing to give, but He does require honesty and integrity in what we offer. The story of Ananias and Sapphira is not about the amount given, but about the heart behind the giving. True life, blessing, and grace are found not in religious compliance, but in Spirit-empowered obedience, authentic community, and wholehearted devotion to God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Spirit you align with is the spirit that fills you. Ananias and Sapphira’s desire for recognition and self-preservation opened the door for deception, while Barnabas’s desire for God and others led to blessing. Our inner alignment—what we truly desire and pursue—determines what spirit has influence in our lives. [24:12]
• 2. We are responsible for what fills our hearts. Scripture commands us to guard our hearts above all else, for everything we do flows from it. The process of being filled with the Holy Spirit is not passive; it requires intentional choices to set our minds and desires on God, continually seeking His presence and guidance. [28:24]
• 3. God values obedience over compliance. Outward actions, even good ones, are empty if not rooted in a heart of love and trust toward God. Compliance is doing the right thing for the wrong reasons—obedience is a willing, heartfelt response to God’s goodness and authority. [15:47]
• 4. Our resources and offerings are under our control, and God sees the heart behind every gift. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not in withholding, but in pretending to give all while secretly holding back. Integrity before God means being honest about what we offer, whether it is our time, money, or devotion. [33:34]
• 5. The blessing and grace of God flow in a community marked by unity, authenticity, and Spirit-filled living. When believers are truly filled with the Holy Spirit, the result is not just personal transformation, but a flourishing community where needs are met, miracles happen, and the gospel advances. This is the life God desires for His people—a life that cannot be faked or manufactured, but only received through surrender and faith. [44:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:17] - The Story of Ananias and Sapphira
• [02:38] - The Early Church: Unity and Great Grace
• [04:42] - External and Internal Attacks on the Church
• [05:47] - The Enemy’s Tactics: Twisted Desires
• [07:02] - Barnabas: A Model of Spirit-Filled Generosity
• [11:31] - The Motives of Ananias and Sapphira
• [13:15] - Outward Deeds vs. Inward Reality
• [15:47] - Compliance vs. Obedience
• [20:03] - Maturity and God’s Standard
• [21:18] - The Spirit-Filled Life and Its Fruit
• [24:12] - The Spirit We Align With
• [28:24] - Guarding Our Hearts
• [32:48] - Power Over Our Resources
• [39:08] - The Consequences of Deception
• [41:09] - The Pattern of Giving and Taking
• [43:34] - Internal Sabotage and the Call to Authenticity
• [44:43] - Prayer and Response

Bible Reading

Acts 4:31–5:11 (ESV) — And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. 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.

Observation Questions

1. What were some of the characteristics of the early church community as described in Acts 4:31–37?
2. How did Barnabas and Ananias & Sapphira each handle their resources, and what was different about their actions?
3. According to Peter, what was the real issue with Ananias and Sapphira’s gift? ([32:48])
4. What immediate consequences did Ananias and Sapphira face after their actions were revealed?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says the difference between Barnabas and Ananias & Sapphira was not in their actions, but in their hearts. Why does God care more about the heart than the outward action? ([13:15])
2. The pastor mentioned that “the spirit you align with is the spirit that fills you.” What does it mean to align your heart with the Holy Spirit versus something else? ([24:12])
3. Why do you think God responded so strongly to Ananias and Sapphira’s deception in the early church? What was at stake for the community? ([39:08])
4. The sermon says, “We are responsible for what fills our hearts.” What are some practical ways believers can guard their hearts and stay filled with the Holy Spirit? ([28:24])

Application Questions

1. The early church was marked by unity, generosity, and meeting each other’s needs. In what ways do you see (or not see) this kind of community in your own church or small group? What is one step you could take to help build this kind of unity? ([02:38])
2. Barnabas gave out of genuine love, while Ananias and Sapphira gave to look good. When you serve, give, or participate at church, what usually motivates you? Is there an area where you feel tempted to “look spiritual” rather than be honest? ([13:15])
3. The sermon says, “God values obedience over compliance.” Can you think of a time when you did the right thing for the wrong reason? How did that affect your relationship with God or others? ([15:47])
4. The pastor said, “We are responsible for what fills our hearts.” What are some things (media, relationships, habits) that are currently filling your heart? Are there any you need to change to make more room for the Holy Spirit? ([28:24])
5. Ananias and Sapphira’s sin was not in how much they gave, but in pretending to give all while secretly holding back. Are there areas in your life where you are holding back from God or others? What would it look like to be honest about that? ([33:34])
6. The sermon talked about the enemy trying to sabotage the church from within by twisting desires. Are there desires in your life that you sense could be “twisted” or misdirected? How can you realign those desires with God’s will? ([05:47])
7. The blessing and grace of God flowed in a community marked by authenticity and Spirit-filled living. What is one practical way you can pursue authenticity and openness in your relationships this week? ([44:43])