“Lessons from Ananias and Sapphira”

In the Bible book of Acts (Acts 4:32-37) we read a story about the early Christian church.  In these verses it says, “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.”  And, at the end of Acts 4 we read about a man named Joseph who sells a field that he owned and brought the money at put it at the apostles’ feet.

Immediately following his story (in Acts 5:1-11), we read about a couple named Ananias and Sapphira.  Like Joseph, they sell some property, but unlike Joseph they hold some of the money back for themselves.  When asked about it they lie, and the result is that they both die.

Early in my Christian walk I hated this story.  It seemed meanspirited of God that they should die when they actually gave some of their money to advance the cause.  But now I have a different take…

1)  In 2 Corinthians 9:7 it says, “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.”  At this point in my life I am convinced that Ananias and Sapphira were giving because others were giving.  Like Joseph they wanted the appearance of “giving all to God”, but they were not doing it cheerfully.  We should NEVER give because we feel pressure.  If we give it should be willingly.

2)      God desires our trust.  When Ananias and Sapphira kept some of the money from the sale back, it meant that they were reluctant to trust God for their provision.  I know so many people like that. 

The thing about money is that it is hard for people to feel like they ever have “enough”, and the truth of it is, if we believe in God, we should recognize that He can give us what we need, and in an instant He could take it all away.  When we lead bountiful lives we think it is because of things WE are doing.  But in truth it is because God has blessed us.  What we DO with those blessing is of great interest to Him, but we should never forget that it is He that is our provider, and if He has blessed us, he could just as easily remove those blessing.

3)    God knows.  If we believe in God, one who created the universe.  One that is all knowing, all powerful, and everywhere – we can’t possibly believe that there are things we do in secret.  Psalm 139 says, “You have searched me, Lord and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.  You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

We would do well to remember that there is NOTHING we can hide from God, and to live our lives accordingly.

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