In a message about the early church its survival and amazing growth in a hostile environment, Pastor Rodney Elliott (Pathway Wichita) spoke about Ananias and his wife Sapphira in Acts Chapter 5. They had sold a piece of property but brought only part of the money to the fellowship of believers. The issue with what may look like a good and generous thing is that the assumption they left with their fellowship was they had brought not part of the money, but all of it.
Context is important here. Those in the fellowship of early believers were bringing everything they had to contribute to the ministry and that’s exactly what Ananias and Sapphira intended for everyone to think. But it wasn’t true.
That was known as a lie in those days. It’s still called a lie today.
But then!
Don’t you just love it when in scripture the very next verse starts with the word, “But?”
“But Peter,” asked, “why did you keep back part of the price of the land? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”
“When Ananias heard these words,” the scripture says, “he fell down and gave up the ghost.” (KJV)
Translated, that means upon hearing those words, he instantly fell over dead.
What if that were to happen to those who tell lies in today’s political environment?
Closer to home, what if that were to happen to me?
I’ve told some whoppers in my day. Usually, my Mom played the part of Peter. Later in life there have been other authority figures playing Peter’s part. There have been consequences. Falling over and “giving up the “ghost” hasn’t been one of them…. yet.
It gets worse. As the story in Acts continues, about three hours later, not having heard about Ananias, Sapphira comes and tells Peter the exact same story. She dies suddenly!
Is there a lesson for us here?
Have a great week!