Acts 5:1-11 "But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, ..."

But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!” Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things. (Acts 5:1-11)

Comment:

The simple spiritual Truth underlying this somewhat alarming story is that choices have consequences. Further, God cannot be deceived, and no plan mortal man might devise can prevent negative consequences of negative choices from expressing in our lives. We’re told (Acts 4:32) that “the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common.” Ananias and Sapphira made two negative choices. First, they gave in to fear-based mortal thoughts that if they gave all, they might not have enough. Instead of trusting in God’s infinite abundance, they decided to hold back some of their “proceeds” for their own use. And second, they both lied about it when questioned. It’s important to note that their dramatic consequences were not dictated by Peter, or by the rules of the company. It was simply an expression of divine Law: fear-based choices will create fear-based consequences.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed