The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 77
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A WARNING AGAINST HYPOCRISY 71 ousness liad no place in their lives. Their love for their brethren and the cause they had espoused, was greater than their love of money and possessions. Their works testified that they accounted the souls of men of higher value than earthly wealth. Thus it will ever be when the Spirit of God takes possession of the life. Those whose hearts are filled with the love of Christ, will follow the example of Him who for our sake became poor, that through His poverty we might be made rich. Money, time, influence, — all the gifts they have received from God's hand, they will value only as a means of advancing the work of the gospel. Thus it was in the early church; and when in the church of to-day it is seen that by the power of the Spirit the members have taken their affections from the things of the world, and that they are willing to make sacrifices in order that their fellow-men may hear the gospel, the truths proclaimed will have a powerful influence upon the hearers. In sharp contrast to the example of benevolence shown by the believers, was the conduct of Ananias and Sapphira, whose experience, traced by the pen of inspiration, has left a dark stain upon the history of the early church. With others, these professed disciples had shared the privilege of hearing the gospel preached by the apostles. They had been present with other believers when, after the apostles had praj^ed, ''the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost."' Deep conviction had rested upon all present, and under the direct influence of the Spirit of God, Ananias and Sapphira had made 1 Acts 4:31.