IMPRESSIVE LIVING

SUNDAY 01

“And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the
apostles’ feet.”
Acts 5:2 (NKJV)

READ: Acts 5:1–11

If a believer is free from living an impressive life, such a believer has gotten the greatest freedom. Some people live their lives only to impress other people, and if they could not
impress the person or people they intended to impress, they become depressed. Some people say when someone does that he is living a fake life, or fake living.

Being impressive means: to excite attention, awe, or admiration of the people. Now, why do you want to excite attention? Why do you want people to be awed about your appearance?

Such a thing is about the show of the flesh, egoism. The couple mentioned in the passage of our text sold their land, but part of the proceeds was kept, and the other part was taken to the church, and laid at the apostles’ feet; both the husband and wife agreed on it (Acts 5:2).

Why did they do that? It was simply because they wanted people’s accolade and commendation and praise
(Matthew 6:1–4). They wanted people to be awed and marveled and be saying Ananias and Sapphira gave all the proceeds of their land which they sold. They wanted people to praise them and see them as the highest givers in that congregation (1 Corinthians 4:5).

The truth is, when you give in order to impress others, you have already received your reward (Matthew 6:1–4).

What the couple did was hidden to man, but it was bare before God—it was known to God. The Holy Spirit revealed it to Apostle Peter (Acts 5:3). Your show off or egoism might be concealed and the people may not know but God knows and sees it.

God knew what they did, that which was concealed, they kept part of the proceeds—the money of the land (Acts 5:3).

The money was theirs all along, they can choose to give all the money or choose to give part of it, no one would blame them for doing whatever they wished to do (Acts 5:4).

Remember, God was not angry because they gave part of the money—half of the money—but He was angry with them
because they lied about what they brought to be given in the assembly of the people of God (Acts 5:1–3). It was their deceptiveness that God wanted to correct, it had nothing to do with the amount of money they brought to be given to God (Acts 5:3,4).

It is not the amount of money you are giving to God that matters to Him, but the heart with which you bring and give the money. An offering brought with a deceptive heart would not be acceptable to God—such gift or money is an abomination to Him (Proverbs 12:22; 15:8).

You cannot cajole God, neither can you play on His intelligence! The reason being that God is all knowing and nothing is hidden from Him. Whatever you are giving to God and His kingdom, do it with a clear and sincere heart and cheerfulness; because God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Ananias and Sapphira should have just told the lead minister, Apostle Peter, “Sir, we sold our landed property, but we have agreed to give so-and-so amount and keep the rest of the money for other family needs or purposes.” The minister in charge would never be offended with that, in fact, their openness and sincerity would be commended and be used as an example to teach others in the congregation about straightforwardness.

God cannot be impressed! Do not clamour for the praise of men, let your praise and commendation come from God (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Peace.

Reflect:
☞ Are your acts of service for God’s pleasure or for your personal ego?
☞ Is there one act of service you can do this week without anyone knowing.

The Edification Daily Devotional for November 2026 can be downloaded here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U98wd3PNiUVvcIzrECAV4ZPF001W6-sp/view?usp=drive_link
https://t.me/Bethel_Digital_Library/63
Kindly share it with others. Stay blessed and stay fulfilled as you go through it daily!