Acts 5: “ Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? 4 Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”
5 On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men stepped forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife also came in, unaware of what had happened. 8“Tell me,” said Peter, “is this the price you and your husband got for the land?”
“Yes,” she answered, “that is the price.” 9 “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter replied. “Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that instant she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and found her dead. So they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came over the whole church and all who heard about these events.”
This is a fascinating story! Centuries have come and gone and undoubtedly many church members have lied about their donations. There is a story about a man who belonged to a church in the country and who was known to be stingy, in fact, very stingy! When the church was having a fund raiser, this man pledged the money he was going to get by selling a fine beef calf. Months went by, but the money was not forthcoming. One Sunday morning the choir was to sing an anthem entitled “The Half has Never Yet Been Told.” The miser, who was sitting in the back, had dozed off and was peacefully snoring, awoke suddenly just as the choir belted out the title line of the song. The miserly farmer had missed the title of the anthem and in his confusion, thought that the choir was singing “The calf has never yet been sold!” The man leaped to his feet and cried, “OK, preacher! You win! I’ll sell that calf tomorrow!”
Barnabas had already sold a piece of land and had brought the full amount to the disciples. Ananias and his wife wanted all the credit but also wanted to keep part of the money. Now this is interesting. Had this couple brought the money they wished to donate to the disciples and been honest about it, nobody would have blamed them. Perhaps that was the only land they owned and perhaps they were afraid they needed something to live on. The disciples would probably have said, “Thanks very much,” and let it go at that. The problem was the lie and the fact that the early church couldn’t afford any such behavior. The Holy Spirit acting through Peter struck both Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, dead.
How many of us who think we are really honest find ourselves shading the truth? Perhaps we don’t tell any really BIG lies, but we might improve a story a little to make ourselves look better or to make someone else look worse. It’s sad when believers behave like this! We worship the one true living God, who made heaven and earth and who knows all the thoughts of our hearts. How can we possibly hide anything from God? We can’t! Far better to confess than to pretend, especially to the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.
Today we continue to receive new “expert” information about COVID – 19. The problem is, many experts disagree with many other experts and sometimes news is slanted to fulfill a particular political agenda. Only the Holy Spirit can really discern the truth! Let’s listen to the Holy Spirit and ask Him to show us what we are to believe.
PRAYER: Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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