Be True

Acts 5:1-11 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 part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. 3 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? 4 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 to men but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 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. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
 
THINK of the impact of God’s judgment on Ananias and Sapphira. Great fear seized all. To seize is to conquer, to grasp, to abduct and to snatch. The Spirit had grasped his church, snatched their hearts and minds up to awaken them to know that lying to the Spirit is a capital offense! With the same power the Spirit had been using to raise up the apostles, save the Jews and form his church, he judged two liars to their quick deaths. Would fear seize the church to the point they would be afraid to continue gathering? Would Peter’s knowledge of the crime cause them to keep away from him? Maybe Peter would condemn a sin in them. What happened to Peter’s preaching in Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
   This is the Lord’s judgment on two hypocrites. Yes, hypocrisy can be forgiven, but Ananias and Sapphira had only self-glory in mind. Although the church would benefit in part from the land sale, the couple withheld money for their own benefit. They claimed, “This is the sale price.” But in fact it was only part of the price. If they had sold the land and said, “We have sold our land and here is an offering from the sale.” The church would have received it in joy and thanksgiving. Sapphira and Ananias wanted people to honor them.
   The LORD made an example of the couple to teach and warn the church his word is true. The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. (Proverbs 15:8) A hypocritical heart will destroy your relationship with God. Whatever you offer to the Lord whether it is money, spiritual gifts or worship, do so with a true heart. Love the Lord and love giving to his church.