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, NRSV)
This story has always set me on edge a little, I must admit. I wonder why it is included. It makes the disciples look like judges. I wonder how Peter knew that they did not give the full amount. And it wasn’t like they were required to give everything. They were letting the apostles have control of the wealth of the community so that all would have as they needed. I wonder if Ananias and Sapphira would have said we sold it for this amount and give you this, and we are holding on to the rest for now if it would have happened the same. I think this story really gets to the topic of deceit. Ananias and Sapphira were trying to deceive the disciples but really they were deceiving God, which isn’t possible.
You see, God knows the thoughts of our hearts and our true intent. We can not deceive God. And by deceiving people, aren’t we really lying to God?
The truth is always the easiest way.
aSacredRebel 