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. 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. Acts 4:34-37
“The second African deputy, the Primate Firmus of Numidia, allowed himself to be bribed by presents, and journey to the sea a disgraceful death. His colleague, Primasius, of the Byzacene province, was at first steadfast, and was therefore sent into a monastery ; but afterwards, when Boethius, the primate of the Byzacene province, had died, he agreed to sign the anathema on the three chapters, in order to become his successor. He returned to Africa and oppressed and plundered the bishops of the opposite party, until at last the merited punishment overtook him, and he was forced to give up all his unrighteous possessions, and died a miserable death.”
Second Council of Constantinople (A.D. 553) in “Notes on the African Deputies” in History of the Councils of the Church, Volume 4; by Charles Joseph Hefele, 268-269.
We have made our way to the Second Council of Constantinople. The main work of this council was to confirm the condemnation issued by edict in 551 by the Emperor Justinian against the Three Chapters (or three heretical groups).
1. Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325)
2. Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381)
3. Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431)
4. Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)
5. Second Council of Constantinople (A.D. 553)
6. Third Council of Constantinople (A.D. 680)
7. Second Council of Nicaea (A.D. 787)
Notice the mural in the header photo I shot in the cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv of this council. Patriarch Eutychius of Constantinople sits presiding over the council which seemed to clean up messes.
Today’s post from the “Notes on the African Deputies” section of the proceedings. It interested me for this reason. To many Christian workers or clergy are bribed by presents.
Gift giving is a cultural practice to express generosity around the world. And yet, taken to extremes, it can function as bribing people in power with presents. We must not let this happen to us.
In the end those guilty of this act were forced to give up all “unrighteous possessions” and they “died a miserable death.” Imagine the regret. But we can avoid this shame and suffering.
We must not receive any gifts with strings attached. In today’s Scripture, don’t miss the expression used twice. For the gifts to be set “at the apostles feet” revealed abandoning control.
When we do give gifts, let’s not use them to control charities, but humble set the gifts as offerings to God at the feet of God’s servants. By this way we can avoid bribery and encourage (like Barnabas) through our giving.