IF: Equip and Acts 5

I know there are a lot of good online scripture reading communities with provoking and encouraging discussion... so I'm not trying to steer anyone away from one they're already enjoying! Better yet -- if you have a face-to-face community for bible study, perfect!

Right now I'm enjoying a community called If-Equip {By providing easy online access to a like-hearted community and relevant resources, we hope IF: Equip will prepare women around the world to know God more deeply and to live out their purposes. source}... After going through the Gospel of John little chunks at a time, we're now going through Acts.

Today was the beginning of Acts 5 with the sobering account of Ananias and Sapphira... a passage that I don't think I've given much thought into until today. I was so challenged to search my heart for the sin of hypocrisy and doing things for "show". We don't know the exact mindset of Ananias and Sapphira which leaves a lot of room for thought on what might have been in their hearts and minds and the different lessons we can learn from this. Were they trying to get the attention and accolades that Joseph/Barnabas may have received by giving all his money from the sale of his land (Acts 4)? Did they act out of fear and lack of faith in their True Provider and Protector (saving a bit of the money in case they were on the run from persecution)?   There are many angles we could look at this... and each speaks to my heart. But mainly I want everything I do to be done sincerely before God, for His attention alone... not for what others might think or not think. I want to be "all in" for Him, even if it makes no sense to the opinions of others. I want to risk it for HIM. And to remember that God is a holy God who knows all my thoughts and heart-motives and requires honesty... He wants all of me -- not just a portion...

I am oh-so-thankful for His grace when I act out of selfishness, in pride and from lack of faith.