Paul Harvey tells the story of a woman who pulls a turkey out of her freezer after it has been frozen for more than twenty years. She calls the turkey hotline to ask whether it is safe to thaw and cook the bird. She also asks if it will still be edible. The turkey experts assure her that, yes, it is perfectly safe to cook and eat a turkey that has remained continuously frozen for all those years. However, they also explain that while it may be safe to consume, it will likely have the taste and consistency of cardboard, so they recommend throwing it in the trash. The woman happily responds, “Good, that’s what I thought. We’ll give it to the church.”
The moral of the story? Are we giving to the church—and, by extension, to the community at large—our leftovers?
Stealing often takes the form of withholding. Paul reminds his readers in Rome to “pay to all what is owed to them.” He doesn’t say pay some or pay partially, but to pay everyone in full. This principle includes not only monetary debts but also relational obligations, such as honor and respect. When we steal from another member of our community, we sin not only against that individual but also against the community as a whole.
The early church provides a wonderful example of communal generosity. Paul frequently encourages and commends the churches for their charitable support. There were occasions, however, when he had to remind some of them that they had been less than generous. If you want to see an example of withholding—or stealing—from the early church community, look no further than Acts 4 and 5.
The members of the early church were selling houses and land and giving the proceeds to the apostles so the needs of the people could be met (Acts 4). Ananias and Sapphira did the same, but greedily withheld part of the proceeds for themselves. Peter confronted them, and within a few hours, both had dropped dead! Luke concludes this narrative by noting that “great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things” (Acts 5:11).
When we steal from a member of our community, we choose self over society. We choose greed over the greater good. We look inward rather than outward. We look more like the enemy and less like the Overcomer. Jesus gave for all—we take for one. The next time you think about withholding aid from your community, remember how that worked out for Ananias and Sapphira!
