ARE WE GIVING FROM EXCESS OR FIRST FRUITS

Acts 4:32-37

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

A pastor from the Bay Area of California recently led a mission trip to Africa. As the bus approached the village, their guide gave them some last minute instruction, "Now whatever you do don't pity these people or approach them as if they are poor. Everyone in the world is poor by American standards but you will find these people to be some of the happiest people on earth."

The pastor found this last statement a little hard to believe as the villagers lived on the African plain with no running water or bathrooms. Their homes were made of cow dung and had dirt floors. While they were there it started to rain, so you can imagine the smell and the mud. Despite all of this, the guide was right -- these people were truly happy.

As the Pastor walked around the village he noticed a man wearing a coat identical to one worn by a young men in his party. When he saw the young man without it, he said "Hey, what happened to your coat?" The young man answered, "I gave it to that guy over there." The pastor replied, "But if it rains again, you'll need it!" "So will he," replied the young man.

By the time the young man got on the bus to return to their hotel, he was dressed like a villager because he had traded every article of his clothing for something worn by a villager. His shirt was tattered; his pants were too short; and his shoes were worn out and two sizes too big.

All too often as we read our text about the first century church, or hear a sermon on giving, we look down the aisle at the guy with the Rolex or the woman with the big diamond ring, and we think, "Yes Pastor, they should be giving more." But what about you? Are you giving clothes to the Goodwill that you don't want and you'll never use or are you giving the clothes off your back? Are you giving out of first fruits as the Bible instructs, or out of excess?

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