Acts 5:1-11

This entry has been delayed because I have been digesting it for a while now.  We’re looking at Acts 5:1-11.  This is the story of Ananias and Sapphira.  I’m going to back track just a little because it’s been over a week since my last post.

In Acts 4:23-37 we studied a beautiful expression of the early church.  These people (probably about 10,000) worshipped together in service but the sense of community continued beyond the church service.  They met in small groups where they fellowshipped and cared for one another (hmm, sorta like the Vineyard Lifegroups, right?).  The early church was more powerful and pure than anything we’ve ever seen in a body of believers.  They gave like crazy to support each other; not because it was required, but because they felt like everything they had been given was theirs to give to others.

This was an attractive community; people working together for Jesus and expressing pure agape’ love.  A caring congregation is a powerful congregation.  No wonder Ananias and Sapphira wanted to be a part of it!  Once Ananias and Sapphira were plugged in to the community, they welcomed the acceptance and care but wanted more.  They wanted to be prominent members of the church.  They wanted the praise of men.  Dedicated and unselfish believers often have the admiration and appreciation of other Christians and if they are spiritually-minded people they are not motivated by the applause of men (but they may get them anyway). The people in the early church who sold their possessions and gave the money to the church probably received the enthusiastic appreciation of the entire congregation. Barnabas was one who sacrificed everything (Acts 4:36, 37), but it was not for show.  There was no trace of pride in it whatsoever. His only thought was the need of other Christians and the glory of God. But the acclaim was there. Ananias and Sapphira saw it and longed for it, and that is where their trouble began.

Ananias and Sapphira put their confidence for the future in their bank account rather than the Lord.  They just couldn’t do what the others were doing but they wanted to be recognized.  They couldn’t give everything to God and trust that he would provide.  They were control freaks.  They were hoarders; some for you, more for me.  They desired the recognition and praise others received for giving, but they wanted to keep what they had.  Aha!  They devised a plan.

They decided to sell some property and give to the church, but they weren’t going to give all of the proceeds to the church.  If the body of believers assumed that a certain percentage was given, then it’s their fault for assuming.  Afterall, the first three letters of assume… nevermind.  Hey – wait a minute.  Why did they have to give all of it or a certain percentage of it?  Shouldn’t they just be giving radically and sacrificially as the Holy Spirit leads?  Yes.  They were not required to give a certain amount all but they were misleading about the amount they gave so that they would receive recognition for being awesome givers.  They weren’t giving for the glory of God:  They were giving so that they could be acknowledged as generous.  They collaborated together as a team to secretly stash some cash and make a big hoopla about giving the rest.  Their plan was deceptive and they knew it!

What’s crazy here is that no one really knew any better until Peter was pretty much instantly gifted with some seriously awesome divine discernment.  He explained that they were under no obligation to sell their property. And even after they sold it, they were under no obligation to give all the money to the church. But they were obligated to be honest.  He knew that they were big, fat stinky liars and he called ‘em out.  The major sin of Ananias and Sapphira was dishonesty, deceit, hypocrisy, pretense, presenting a false image of themselves, implying a greater spirituality than they actually possessed, letting people think more highly of them than what they knew was warranted. They were more interested in appearances than in reality. Peter said, “You have not lied to men, but to God” (Acts 5:4).

Warning:  This side-note is a bit heavy. Think about what their marriage must have looked like.  While they demonstrated a marvelous togetherness in their deceptive scheme, their hypocrisy probably had serious affects on their marriage. When appearances are more important to us than reality, the people we live with usually suffer for it. We are careful to veil our worldliness before others, but safely behind the walls of our own homes, we have a tendency to let it all hang out; anger, short tempers, unkindness and inconsideration, selfish demands, pride, childish behavior (by the way, I am never ever ever childish).  As a result, many Christian homes are riddled with turmoil and strife. But when some concerned Christian who might be able to help us asks how things are going at home, we quickly reply, “Oh, just great, great. Yes sir, we’re getting along better than we ever did.” And we excuse our dishonesty by telling ourselves that what goes on in our home is a private matter, nobody’s business but our own. But the dishonesty increases our burden of guilt, and the guilt leads to further defensiveness and irritability, and the irritability produces greater dissension and discord in the home. It’s one of Satan’s favorite traps.

Ananias and Sapphira probably had some serious problems within the marriage, too.  If they are doing things for recognition, that probably applies to what went on at home, too.  They probably served each other, but only for points.  I bet there was some serious score-keeping going on and I also bet that they only ‘served’ (I put that in quotes because that’s not really service) when the invested yielded a greater reward.  I am going to go way out on a limb and say that there may have been a lot of “but I did <fill in the blank> for you” or “you owe me”.

These lies and emotional hoarding can be repaired but you have to stop and take a serious look at yourself.  If you don’t feel like you are in the wrong, you won’t repent.  Sin that has not been confessed seems to seriously hinder the way in which the Holy Spirit moves.  This is a pretty radical summary:  Let’s be honest with ourselves; let’s evaluate our motives.  If all of our actions were transparent and your heart could be seen, would it be dirty or pure?  There are many layers to this onion and because we are wicked, wretched people and we will fail.  Just make sure you keep your pride in check.  Spend some time praying for the Holy Spirit to show you areas where your pride is more important than God’s purpose. End of rabbit trail.

Back to the story… wow, this is getting long.  If you read the story then you know what happened, If not, go check it out.  To sum it up, God zapped them.