A Tale of Two Couples
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For and Against
For and Against
Today is the second and final installment in our series “For and Against”.
Several weeks back Yale publicly launched an ambitious, five-year capital campaign to raise $7 billion to help future generations of university faculty, students, and staff tackle the greatest challenges facing humankind. The campaign is the largest and most comprehensive in Yale’s history. It aims to bolster the university’s unique resources to improve the world, strengthen the bonds among members of the Yale community, and bolster Yale’s foundation for the future.
The campaign states, “Improving the human condition requires human intellect and emotion.”
I agree.
Yale has titled its capital campaign “For Humanity”.
The campaign acknowledges that much time can be spent highlighting what a person or group is against, such that Yale is choosing to make a stake about what it is for.
Yale is declaring, “We are for humanity.”
I look around and see the world is as diverse as it has ever been.
In deciding whether or not to connect across difference, people are asking, “Are you for me or against me?”
In deciding whether to partner with someone for business or for life, the values of a person are come under scrutiny: “Who are you for? Who are you against?”
“What is the life evidence that makes what you say true?”
People want to connect with God. People know they need God. And they have the question, “God, are you for me? At times life feels like you are against me.”
Today, we will read stories of two couples who got to personally put their own stake in the ground, declaring who they are for.
And I ask you to consider:
Given an opportunity to express it, what is your life for? Of whom are you in favor?
In our opening text, the Apostles are preaching the Gospel/Good news of Jesus Christ—preaching that the person Jesus, whom they just crucified, is the resurrected Lord, is resin from the dead. Thousands believe, hearing the word of God.
The religious leaders, wanting to retain and regain religious authority, persecute the Apostles.
The Apostles preach anyhow. Jews come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and live life together, despite harsh treatment.
In our text, we come across the couple Ananias and Sapphira.
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 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. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
She said, “Yes, for so much.”
Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
For and Against: a tale of two couples
For and Against: a tale of two couples
(Let’s pray)
Marriage is arguably the most important institution we have/there is.
After God made Adam and established a personal relationship with Adam, God made Adam a helper comparable to Adam.
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
The first partnership, agreement made between any two people, was marriage. And God formed the union.
One estimate says there will be 1.9 million weddings by the end of 2021. In 2022, that number is predicted to jump to 2.5 million, nearly doubling the amount in 2020.
(https://www.wptv.com/money/consumer/5-big-changes-youll-see-during-weddings-in-2021-and-beyond)
Marriage is one opportunity to do life together with someone. A covenant and commitment to live out your days as one.
Ananias and Sapphira might have seen themselves as that couple—doing life together and living out their days as one.
In our text,
Certainly they are one.
They have a life together.
Together they owned land.
Together they make business transactions.
Together they manage (understand) their finances.
Together they agree on a donation to support the common good.
Together, unfortunately, they agree to lie to God, to lie to their community.
What would possess a couple, in a position to be financially generous, to pretend to be more generous then they actually were in their heart?
Was there an/What image and reputation were they trying uphold/maintain or create? Perhaps they felt a certain peer pressure from their community.
Were they trying to convince themselves that deep down on the inside they really were a good couple? That God didn't mind their struggle to be good?
Whatever their justification,
Perhaps they didn't recognize that all things are done before God, independent of whether they are in front of people.
O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
Whatever the reason, Ananias and Sapphire ultimately chose to be for themselves. (Were willing to live a lie that seemed satisfied all involved.)
They wanted too much comfort—the image of being generous without the price tag that comes with it.
Ananias and Sapphire go down in history as the couple who tried to appear to be more generous then they actually intended for themselves to be.
Let’s contrast Ananias and Sapphire with another couple.
Aquila and Priscilla
The Apostle Paul writes, to close out a letter, two sentences about Priscilla and Aquila.
Even though it’s only two sentences, I find the sentences to be very telling of the couple.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.
A few things we can learn from Paul’s words.
The couple:
co-labored in the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ;
risked death in intentionally associating and working with Apostle Paul;
greatly benefited the churches formed by non-Jewish believers coming to know Jesus; and
had their own church that met in their home.
Aquila and Priscilla were a couple who had a life marked by what they gave and who they were for.
And how we know Priscilla and Aquila were a couple:
The Apostle John also wrote in the Book of Acts a few words about them.
Here are a few verses that specifically mention Aquila and Priscilla:
After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Priscilla and Aquila are a couple doing life together, living out their days as one.
The couple was expelled from their home in Rome. Because they were Jews and the Jews had to leave. Together, they left Rome and together they relocated to Corinth.
Together, the couple works with their hands and makes a living.
Together, they also make a difference:
They house Paul and share work with him.
Travel with Paul for ministry.
Graciously help another co-laborer Apollos to more accurately teach the Gospel.
Priscilla and Aquila are in it to win it. And for everyone to win, not just themselves.
These are two couples—both married but different in how they impact life—their own and the lives of those around them.
Ananias and Sapphire partner to try to make an impression that is most about themselves.
Priscilla and Aquilla partner and make a difference in the lives of those around them. They contribute in a ways that that they are uniquely able to minister/contribute.
That’s Ananias and Sapphire and Priscilla and Aquilla and an example of how the couples lived their life.
But let’s talk about you and me.
If I may speak with you for a moment:
One of the biggest mistakes we can make in our relationships and pursuits (whether personal, professional, academic, religious) is thinking that the outcomes are for ourselves alone—our own consumption and purposes.
There may not inherently be anything wrong with having something for yourself.
(I’m not against your fulfillment. I am for your fulfillment. Chances are, you work hard to be where you are and have some of what you have.)
What I simply aim to do is help expand your spiritual vision.
The reason it can be a mistake to think that your relationship or pursuit is for you is that the potential of the relationship might be bigger than the thing for which you use it/ than the purpose for which you’ve named it.
Take your marriage:
One of the questions I and Lady Rashele are asked by mature couples mentoring us is
“Why did God put you two together?”
“Why did God put you two together?”
One question Lady Rashele and I ask when we are mentoring a couple is, “Why did God put you together”?
The reason is bigger than you.
For one, It has to be bigger than you by design.
Hear the relationship in marriage, how, by God’s design, it reflects the relationship between Christ at the church:
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
The reason for marriage is bigger than for your own consumption.
For two, it has to be bigger than you for longevity—for practical purposes. You have to be Better together…to help stand the test of time and circumstance. (Why else would we stay long?)
It’s hard work being a couple. Regularly, married couples quit on the relationship because of disagreements, the difficulties of a challenging season, disappointments, heartbreak.
But when the relationship can help make you better—meaning you are better together, you look more like Christ, and your spouse does, too—these strong positive reasons help the marriage union to persist.
Both couples, in our text today, left a legacy.
Today, we read both of their stories some 2000 years later.
One couple centered on themselves.
The other couple centered on the things of God.
I remember a time in college when I had a choice whether to try to make my life all about OrLando, or all about God. Whether to use my name for God’s glory or to surrender my name in order to elevate God’s name.
I read the scripture:
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
I prayed: Lord, let my life be for your honor.
Today, I consider the lyrics:
… My life is not my own
To you I belong
I give myself, I give myself to you
Here I am
Here I stand
Lord, my life is in your hands
Lord, I'm longing to see
Your desires revealed in me
I give myself away
But here is the challenge of a relationship centered on Christ and for the benefit of the eternal life of those who will come to know Jesus through your life and marriage and pursuits:
When we read further down in 2 Timothy we find this description:
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
How do you actually participate with others and with God in a way that is “for life”…for the lives of those around you as well as your own?
I suggest three things
1. Understand what you have.
1. Understand what you have.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
2. Understand what you are going to receive?
2. Understand what you are going to receive?
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
3. When necessary, weigh the costs. Make the correct comparisons.
3. When necessary, weigh the costs. Make the correct comparisons.
(Remember, we live and die for eternity and not for temporal things. )
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.