At Your Disposal

I recently heard a sermon that manipulated Acts 4:32-36 into a tithing sermon. Barnabas, “…sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet” (vs 37 NIV). The pastor concluded that Barnabas could have given the money to those in need himself; however, by giving the money to the apostles it was the early church, not Barnabas, who gets the credit for giving to the poor. In essence, when you give to the church the leaders will determine where the needs are and then God will be glorified through the church…rather than through an individual. Ananias lied about his contribution to the church, which cost him his life. However, Peter makes it very clear that believers have the right to manage and direct their own finances. Peter said, “Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal” (Acts 5:4a NIV)?