What did you think about what happened to Ananias and Sapphira? It’s a shocking story no matter how many times you’ve read it. There’s a huge lesson in there for us, even though I don’t often teach this Bible story to young children. This couple gave us an example to avoid.
We might want to commend them for giving to the work of the growing, young church. But was it generosity or a desire to receive respect like Barnabas in our last reading? It was the deception that ruined any possible beauty in their gesture. It wasn’t that they made a mistake, this couple intentionally made the decision to give only a portion of the sale proceeds away. The mistake was lying about it.
This was a gift meant to build up the Kingdom of God and enrich the ministry of Jesus’ followers. To distort that with lies and deception was unforgivable. The apostles even said, “You weren’t lying to us but to God!” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize you can never lie to God and get away with it. This example sends us the message to never lie to God. After all, he knows our hearts. For Ananias and Sapphira, the penalty was death.
Peter called out Satan as the source of the bad choice. We certainly see the sins of pride and greed in play. Satan did corrupt this couple, and the Holy Spirit gave Peter the wisdom to see, and he questioned Ananias, “Why?” Before any answer could come forth, Ananias died. Peter had to be as surprised as everyone else.
Of course, there was fear over what had happened. Word would have spread quickly about such a spectacle. New believers were still coming forward, but those who were simply curious were probably scared away by the day’s events. Can you imagine the damage that Satan could have done to the growing church community without this act of God?
Despite a potential setback, more and more people were trusting in the healing touch of Jesus. They knew following Jesus was serious business. The apostles had prayed for the signs and wonders, and they were seeing God move in very powerful, life-changing ways. What a statement God was making as he used these faithful believers!
What does this say to us today? Is God still moving in our communities of faith? Has Satan found a way to bring division, greed, or pride? I constantly pray for churches because I can see a deterioration as congregations move away from Biblical truth. The church should be where truth is spoken in love, even if it challenges us.
As followers of Jesus, we are also targets of Satan’s schemes. Our own sinfulness often opens the door wide for Satan without us even knowing it. What we watch and what we read can definitely separate us from Jesus and the life he wants for us. Take an honest inventory of how you spend your time. What percentage of time are you spending in God’s Word or in prayer to draw closer to the heart of God? I’ve found spending time with God is the best part of my day. Why wouldn’t I want to maximize that?
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, what a display of power and love in today’s reading! I love seeing how you were moving in the early church, but these deaths are still shocking to me. I never want to let you down or misrepresent anything concerning you. Help me to stay true and draw me closer to you every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
