The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 80

Scan transcription helps with searching and selection. Use the printed page above for exact spelling and punctuation.

74 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES big to tlie cliurcli, to lead them to avoid pretense and livpocrisy, and to beware of robbing God. Not to the early church only, but to all future generations, this example of Grod's hatred of covetousness, fraud, and hypocrisy, was given as a dangersignal. It was covetousness that Ananias and Sapphira had first cherished. The desire to retain for themselves a part of that which they had promised to the Lord, led them into fraud and hypocrisy. God has made the xoroclamation of the gospel dependent upon the labors and the gifts of His people. Voluntary offerings and the tithe constitute the revenue of the Lord's work. Of the means entrusted to man, God claims a certain portion, — the tenth. He leaves all free to say whether or not they will give more than this. But when the heart is stirred by the influence of the Holy Spirit, and a vow is made to give a certain amount, the one who vows has no longer any right to the consecrated portion. Promises of this kind made to men would be looked upon as binding; are those not more binding that are made to God? Are promises tried in the court of conscience less binding than written agreements of men? When divine light is shining into the heart with unusual clearness and power, habitual selfishness relaxes- its grasp, and there is a disposition to give to the cause of God. But none need think that they will be allowed to fulfil the promises then made, without a protest on the part of Satan. He is not pleased to see the Eedeemer's kingdom on earth built up. He suggests that the pledge made was too much, that it may cripple them in their efforts