February 22, 2026
Real Treasure
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Have you ever been blessed by someone in such a way that it actually changed you?
“Whose generosity did I think of every time I made every one of the thousands of gifts I’ve been able to give?” – Mackenzie Scott, We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For
“It was the local dentist who offered me free dental work when he saw me securing a broken tooth with denture glue in college. It was the college roommate who found me crying, and acted on her urge to loan me a thousand dollars to keep me from having to drop out in my sophomore year.” – Mackenzie Scott, We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For
“…And I will keep at it until the safe is empty," – Mackenzie Scott, We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For
We have an even greater motivation: We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Acts 4:32-35 NIV
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Acts 4:36-37 NIV
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Numbers 18:20 NIV
The Lord said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.”
Numbers 18:21 NIV
“I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.”
Barnabas saw the ultimate value in his possessions was to advance God’s Church.
Acts 5:1 NIV
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.
Acts 5:2 NIV
With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 5:3 NIV
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?”
Acts 5:4 NIV
“Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
God is always searching for willing participants in what He is doing.
2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Mark 12:41 NIV
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.
Mark 12:42 NIV
But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Mark 12:43-44 NIV
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Oh, that we would all be commended by Jesus one day in such an honorable way!
Acts 5:4 NIV
“Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
Acts 5:5 NIV
When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.
Acts 5:10-11 NIV
At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Acts 5:13-14 NIV
No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
The fear of God will move some to stay away from Him, but to others it will make them run to the only One who can save their soul.
Philippians 2:12-13 NIV
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.