Leaders are generous - at least they were in the New Testament.
Throughout the whole congregation there was unity about the quality of generosity. It started with the apostles. The apostles' example spread the understanding of generosity throughout the whole congregation. Unfortunately there were also a couple of hypocrites, Ananias and Sapphira, who had a piece of land and gave part of the proceeds to the apostles. But sadly they claimed they had given the whole amount to the congregation. God revealed their deception to Peter, and he confronted them about it. Their sin was not a lack of generosity, but a lack of honesty. They lied about what they had done. They wanted to be seen as generous without paying the price.
God wanted nothing to do with that. He therefore removed them from the congregation by taking their lives.
Acts 5:10 And she fell down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
What was the problem?
Ananias and Sapphira...
- clung to their possessions.
- agreed together to lie about their donation.
- pretended to be someone they were not.
- thought they could create the appearance of generosity.
- cared more about their image than about their relationship with God.
Many leaders struggle with the same challenges when it comes to the subject of generosity.
They don't just live in a materialistic world - they create and sustain it through their actions. They think they will ultimately make it if they just act wisely and hold on to their possessions. God's understanding of economics is radically different. He is a generous Lord who gives to all who are in need. He delights in meeting the needs of his followers, directly and indirectly. He gives not only from his resources, but also of himself.
How can generosity develop?
Nothing speaks louder to others or serves them better than a leader's generosity. Here are ways to cultivate the quality of generosity:
1. Be grateful for everything you have.
2. Put people first.
3. Don't let greed control you.
4. View money as a resource.
5. Develop the habit of giving.
Sometimes leaders cling to their possessions because they fear they might run out. Life seems scarce. But if you believe that giving is the way to life, you will create more in the future. Life seems abundant. That is the life Jesus had in mind for leaders (John 10:10).
Acts 5:1-11
Ananias and Sapphira
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then she fell down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.