Message Outline

Sunday February 22, 2004

“Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is”

Acts 4:31-37

Question:  A common complaint of unbelievers against Christians is that we are hypocrites—our walk doesn’t match up with our talk.  Is this a valid critique?  More specifically:  How does our use of material things reflect on the genuineness and validity of our faith?

Introduction: 

A.  Profound impact of the reality of the resurrection on the daily life of the believers:

A.  A bold and focused witness

B.  A penetrating social concern

C.  A transformed attitude about possessions

B.  How about the charge of hypocrisy—that our walk doesn’t match up with our talk?  Is it true? 

C.  How can we “put our money where our mouth is?”

Acts 4:31-37 gives us some insight in how our faith can transform our attitude about and use of material possessions.

I.  Where is your heart?  “All the believers were one in heart and mind.”

A.  Living according to a clear purpose

B.  Sharing a common vision

C.  Operating out of a set of cohesive values

A spiritual revolution must precede a material revolution

II.  What was the effect of a changed heart?  “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.”

A.  A new stewardship—from owner to manager

B.  A new set of priorities—from selfish wants to other’s needs

C.  A new community—from individualism to the body of Christ

Despite the obvious weaknesses and dangers of this new-found generosity, the early church identified the true power of the church — a focus outside of themselves.

III.  The effects of putting our money where our hearts are:

A.  A rediscovery of the power of God-centered love  (“spoke the word of God boldly”)

B.  A rediscovery of the power of trust in leadership (“put it at the apostles feet)

C.  A rediscovery of the power of sacrifice

D.  A rediscovery of the power of generosity

Closing Observation:  Changed hearts result in a change in our use of material things.  If not, time to examine our hearts.