One of the amazing things happening among these Spirit-filled believers is Gospel community in its purest form. People were leveraging their wealth, possessions and real estate for God's kingdom.
The process was quite simple. A Christ follower had a need. Another brother or sister sold something and gave the proceeds to the apostles. Dr. Luke gives the example of Barnabas as one who did just that (Acts 4:32-37).
That sets the ball on the tee for what we read in Acts 5:1-11. Meet Ananias and his wife Sapphira (v1). They see what's going on with other believers as they sell their stuff and present it to the apostles.
No doubt the church celebrated such sacrificial gifts. For Pete's sake, the apostles gave Joseph of Cyprus the nickname Barnabas because of his act of encouragement.
It would certainly seem that the possibility of an apostolic attaboy drove them much more than the approval of the Audience of One.
Jesus has warned us against such hypocrisy (Mt 6:1-4). Why do you and I give? Is it a way of worship to thank God for all He has done for me?
Or is it a means to get my back slapped and ego stroked? I must consistently check my heart for my motivation behind such giving.
The good doctor tells us that, on one hand, Ananias and Sapphira did a good thing. They "sold a piece of property."
But, on the other hand, they did a very bad thing (v2). "With his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds."
While it is not overtly stated, clearly he and his wife have made a pledge to give the FULL amount of the sale to the church.
Here is their sin. This couple has made a vow to do something. They have pledged to give ALL the proceeds to God. Did the sale bring a windfall that they didn't expect?
Possibly. Whatever happened, Ananias and Sapphira decided to skim a little off the top before handing the cash over to the apostles.
White collar crime is nothing new. It's actually thousands of years old. As a matter of fact, this isn't the first time Pete and apostles had to deal with it. At some point, they found out that Judas had embezzled money given to Jesus.
Whether it's a dirty billion dollar deal on Wall Street, lying on your taxes or fudging an expense report, it is a sin. You are lying to God and stealing from Him as well (Ex 20:15-16; Dt 23:21-23; Num 30:2).
When Ananias and his wife presented their gift to the apostles, it didn't quite go down as they hoped.
Pete doesn't congratulate but confronts him (v3). "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?"
The leader of the apostles goes on to say, "You have not lied to men but to God" (v4).
This is their sin. Lying to the Holy Spirit. Lying to God. In writing this account, Luke confirms the truth of the Trinity. He equates God's Spirit to God Himself.
This is a not-so-subtle declaration that the Holy Spirit is a Who and NOT a what. He’s not some spooky, mystical force we access like Luke Skywalker on his bombing mission of the Death Star.
When you think about it, how stupid can you be to think you can actually lie to God? Let's face it, I can't fool an all-knowing God with a little carnival slight of hand.
On top of that, He knows my heart. He knows what I'm up to. Anytime I try to pull a fast one on the Lord, I will lose. Every. Single. Time.
Their punishment for lying to God? They both dropped dead when confronted by Peter (v5, 10).
Did God act in this way because these nascent days of the early church were crucial? Apparently other folks died when they played fast and loose with the Lord's Supper (1Cor 11:30).
Whatever the reason, God's death penalty for white collar crime certainly got the attention of the church (v5, 11).
While there was great joy and celebration in these early days, God warned His people through the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira that He is still holy.
He is not be taken lightly. He is not be lied to.
©2011
Jay Jennings
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