City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

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. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.’ And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.” Acts 4:36-5:11 ESV

Reflection

The word but is a conjunction that links two contrasting ideas together. But is mentioned three times in this passage, linking three contrasting ideas together. Chapter 5 verse 1 contrasts the generosity and heart of Barnabas and the true intentions of Ananias and Sapphira. Ananias and Sapphira’s sin wasn’t the amount they gave or lack thereof, it was that they lied about the value of what they were giving. They were trying to pass off a partial amount of what they gave as the whole of the land they sold. Their motives were a combination of the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10) and love of status (to look generous in the eyes of the church). They saw Barnabas give and wanted the recognition he had, but they were not willing to pay the full price, only a partial price. God isn’t a partial God, with Him it is all or nothing.

Satan cannot force anyone to sin but he can only tempt. God will not allow an unbearable temptation into our lives, and He will provide a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). The accuser gave Ananias and Sapphira the idea to withhold some of the money from the sold property and pass off their offering as the full price. But God will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7).

The Holy Spirit informed Peter of the deceit of Ananias. Peter told Ananias he lied to God when it’s impossible to hide from Him (Hebrews 4:13). The Holy Spirit also informed Peter that Sapphira knew of Ananias’ actions and was conspiring with him to deceive the Church. Peter accused Sapphira of testing the Spirit of the Lord. Both Ananias and Sapphira were Messianic Jews, they would have known stealing from God would have disastrous consequences (Joshua 7, 2 Kings 5:19-27) and testing God was forbidden (Deuteronomy 6:16).

Ananias’ and Sapphira’s deaths were not a result of Peter’s declaration, but of divine intervention. Seems harsh, doesn’t it? Why did God decide that Ananias and Sapphira had to die for their deceit? The Church of the Way was in its beginning phases in a very difficult sociopolitical environment; one wrong move could have ruined it. If God let Ananias and Sapphira get away with their sin, they would have become leaders in their church and lead their followers astray towards a love of money and status over love of God, like the Pharisees did. There would be no Pharisees in the Church of the Way, or those who value the opinions of humankind over God’s obedience (John 12:43).

Application

One of Joyce Meyer’s best phrases is “But God.” Unfair, even evil, things happen in this world. But God is for us (Romans 8:31). But God has already overcome the world (John 16:33). But God has given us victory (Psalm 60:12). God sees what is in a person’s heart and He sees their actions. Nothing is hidden from Him (Hebrews 4:13). He sees what’s happening in your life right now: the hurt, the anger, the sadness. When bad things happen, remember: BUT GOD!

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to see the world as You see it, to see what is unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18). When bad things happen, help me to see You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.