The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer CHRISTIANS can learn a great deal from the biblical story of Ananias and Sapphira, which is told in the opening chapters of Acts of the Apostle. Ananias and Sapphira were members of the early church. They were considered to be a very charitable couple. In those days, the members shared their belongings, ensuring everyone lived sufficiently and comfortably. However, Ananias and Sapphira were not completely honest in their dealings when it came to matters of charity. They sold all of their land but kept back some of the sales, instead of giving the entire donation to the church. When they were asked if their donation was the entire amount, they both lied. A short time later they were struck down dead and carried out of the church. Ananias and Sapphira did not sell all their land because they were looking out for others in the community; they did it because they wanted to gain praise and popularity. Although it appeared as if their acts were benevolent, the motive behind their actions spoke otherwise. This reflects the teaching of a popular proverb, "better a small serving of vegetables with love, than a fattened calf with hatred", which admonishes individuals to engage in acts with love and good intentions. Pastor Matthew Allen told Tribune Religion that small acts with love will be appreciated more than anything else. "Whatever one does it is best that it is done with goodwill and a good heart. Even if what you have done is very little you should do it with love. When it is done in love it will be better appreciated. But if you give in huge sums and you do not give with a good heart then it will not be appreciated," Pastor Allen said. Methodist faithful, Beverly Rolle told Tribune Religion that her mother always shared this proverb with her and her siblings. To this day she will never forget it. "One thing I was always taught when I was growing up, is to do things in love. My mother reiterated this all the time. If I was asked to borrow something and I got upset about it, she would say either I do it with a good heart or do not do it all. Sometimes I huffed and puffed but later I understood the meaning of it all," she said. Bradley Miller, a Catholic follower, also said he learned the power of this proverb some years ago. "I ran into a situation a few years ago and I needed $2000. I asked one of my family members for the money and they said they would lend it to me. But before they gave me the money, they said all kind of things to me like 'I am a man and I should always have money because if I don't I am worthless.' As bad as I needed the money I did not take it. I did not appreciate what the person was doing because I could sense they were not giving me the money with a good heart," he said. A prominent teaching in the bible is that Christians will be judged by their heart. Mizpah Adderley believes all Christians should remember this whenever they are thinking about engaging in charitable acts. "This scripture reminds me of some of these pastors over here who only do things for show and tell. They are not doing it out of love, some of them do it because they believe it will get them more members in their church. You can give someone an entire house but if you do not give that house out of love, it will not be appreciated and God will not be moved by it either," she said.