Acts 5:1-5
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God. 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira is not simply that they kept some of the money from the sale of the land, for Peter makes clear that they were able to do what they wanted with it (verse 4). The real sin was their lying about the proceeds in an attempt to make themselves look more generous than they really were. Thankfully for us, God is usually more merciful with us now, but He wanted to make a point at that time about the dangers of lying and pride, that we would do well to heed. For we are also tempted to make ourselves look better than we really are, to try and impress others. Trying to impress others is often part of our "player" mentality as we try to woo someone else, and to feel better about ourselves. But it is all foolishness to God, who sees our true selves. For God knows that we can never mature until we admit our weaknesses and dark sides.
Lord, help me to admit my weakness and not try to impress others.
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God. 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira is not simply that they kept some of the money from the sale of the land, for Peter makes clear that they were able to do what they wanted with it (verse 4). The real sin was their lying about the proceeds in an attempt to make themselves look more generous than they really were. Thankfully for us, God is usually more merciful with us now, but He wanted to make a point at that time about the dangers of lying and pride, that we would do well to heed. For we are also tempted to make ourselves look better than we really are, to try and impress others. Trying to impress others is often part of our "player" mentality as we try to woo someone else, and to feel better about ourselves. But it is all foolishness to God, who sees our true selves. For God knows that we can never mature until we admit our weaknesses and dark sides.
Lord, help me to admit my weakness and not try to impress others.