Years ago the public was shocked to hear the news report of a woman named Kittie Genovese who was slowly killed in front of her apartment house in Brooklyn, NY. The shock was even greater when it was learned that at least 27 persons in neighboring apartment houses heard her screams, even saw what was happening from their windows, and not one of them tried to help her. When questioned, they all had about the same response: “I didn’t want to get involved.”

As shocking as this is, we cannot sit in judgment on them, because an inner voice of honesty should ask us whether we might have been equally irresponsible had we been there. It is not easy to be a hero or heroine when real danger threatens. And, let’s face it, sometimes we even avoid the opportunity for involvement in situations that are less demanding and far less threatening. We explain away our lack of concern with mumblings about minding our own business.

What a contrast to this attitude we find in the earliest Christian community. The early Church thrived because its members had an intense sense of responsibility for one another. They had joined to be involved. They sensed that they were part of a great experimental community which would one day change the entire world. They knew that if this vision was to have any hope of succeeding they had to be involved in giving, daring, sharing. And they measured up to the challenge. The Book of Acts tells us in the Good News translation: “The group of believers was one in mind and heart. No one said that any of his belongings was his own, but they all shared with one another everything they had.” (Acts 4:32)

According to Luke, the author of Acts, the earliest Christians held all their possessions in common and shared what they had freely and generously with one another. Apparently, it was not unusual for Christians to sell real property and give the proceeds to the common church treasury. As this began to happen, one church couple named Ananias and Sapphira were filled with mixed emotions. On the one hand, they liked the idea of being help up in front of the church in public praise for their generosity. On the other hand, they didn’t like the idea of giving up all their property to the church. So they agreed on a little scheme. They would sell their piece of land but give only part of the proceeds to the church.

The next part of the story has some quasi-miraculous elements but I think there are perfectly natural explanations for what happened. When Ananias brought the portion of the proceeds to the Apostle Peter, Peter confronted him with what he had done. Let’s face it, friends, in the first century or the twenty-first century it is all but impossible to keep secrets in church! So why bother? Better to speak the truth to one another in love and let the chips fall where they may. Notice I said, “In love.”

Ananias was devastated at being discovered in his deceit and dropped dead on the spot. A heart attack? In any case, some of the young men of the church wrapped his body in a sheet and took it out to bury it. About three hours later, Sapphira came in, not knowing what had taken place, and Peter challenged her. “Did you sell your land for such and such a price?” “Yes, we did,” she answered. Peter then said, “So you and your husband agreed not simply to deceive the church but also to deceive God! What made you do it? Do you hear those footsteps? Those belong to the young men who have just buried your husband and now they will carry you out, too.” Instantly, she dropped dead and the young men carried her out and buried her by her husband. In what must be regarded as a fitting candidate for the Understatement of All Time Hall of Fame, one translator renders the next Greek words of the text: “This made a profound impression on the whole church.” I’ll bet they didn’t have many problems with their next stewardship campaign!

Down through the centuries the story of Ananias and Sapphira has been told again and again as an example of a certain kind of church membership. They are representative of persons who want to be identified with the church for a variety of reasons, but who want to evade or ignore the demands of membership. “Sure, I want to keep my name on the membership rolls,” a person once said to me, “but don’t expect me to get involved.”

Every church, including our own, has members like that. They want to be members, but they do not really want to be involved or challenged that much Why belong at all, you ask? I suppose because even in these tepid times belonging to a church seems the right thing to do. The great majority of Americans belong to some organized religious group. Yet, for too many it is an empty gesture, devoid of real meaning, reminding us of these First Century holdouts who wanted the privilege and prestige of church membership without paying the full price. In another church at stewardship time, one of the callers told about visiting a family whose names were on the church roll. The church had served them and their children in many ways over the years, yet they were completely inactive and non-supportive financially. A member of the family moved away and a call was made to ask them whether that person’s name should be removed from the membership rolls. The answer came back, “Oh, no, please leave her name on the roll. It gives us all such a warm feeling to know that we are part of the church.”

To me the moral of this story of Annanias and Sapphira is that there can be no real meaning to church membership without accompanying responsibility.

Unfortunately, their line of succession did not cease with them! Have you met persons who pretend an enthusiasm and appreciation for our church, but who persistently withhold themselves from supporting it? They may say great things about what the church is doing, they love to read the newsletter, they have kind words to say about the minister, the worship and programs, but they don’t want to become involved in any significant way. They are careless in their attendance at worship and other church activities. They seldom, if ever, pray for their church. Their contribution is, at best, a token gift. Most spend more money in a week or so on entertainment than they give to the church in a year. Service is an unknown word to them as far as the church is concerned. Yet, at some point, they stood before the congregation and promised their prayers, their attendance, their gifts, and their service. No one forced them to do it. It was a free decision. Yet, now they feel little or no guilt about their lack of involvement.

Love to be real love has to be shown in concrete and responsible ways. Otherwise, it dies. Showing your church that we love it with generous support is critical. Friends, the future of our church depends on us.

 I don’t know how many times in other churches I have sat in meetings when financial commitment and stewardship were being discussed with a bit of hopefulness. Then someone poured cold water on it with the comment, “Well, we really can’t expect people to do more than they are now. They are doing all they can.”

Well, friends, I am here to tell you that’s a lie. You and I can do more. We should do more. We must do more. And we will do more if we take seriously the demands of Christ and the opportunities God has given us as a church. To do less is to die a little – as individuals and as a church. Personally, I do not want to be pastor of a dying church. I don’t think that you do either. Together, we are called to life – rich, full, abundant life. Yes, that life has a price tag on it – maybe, for some a high price – but who wouldn’t give everything he or she had for life. Don’t worry. Your church is not asking you to give everything to us! You don’t face the dilemma Ananias and Sapphira faced. At least I don’t think so! But you never know! Do I hear footsteps at the door?