In The Word
Read: Acts 4:32-5:16
Sharing among Believers
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had need.
36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),37 owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Fate of Ananias and Sapphira
5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the proceeds for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he 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 some 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 under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias collapsed and died; and great fear came over all who heard about it. 6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now an interval of about three hours elapsed, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for this price?” And she said, “Yes, for that price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she collapsed at his feet and died; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard about these things.
12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all together in Solomon’s portico.13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. 14 And increasingly believers in the Lord, large numbers of men and women, were being added to their number, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any of them. 16 The people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together as well, bringing people who were sick or tormented with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Our reading today shares the generosity of the early church. Christians were showing their love for God by selling their own property to help other Christians in need. This act of sharing goods was voluntary, possibly necessary, because of an economic downturn or just poverty stricken converts needing assistance. Barnabas is mentioned as someone who gave generously (Acts 4:36-37). This act made him noted in the church, and he would later become a missionary with Paul. But there was a couple, Ananias and Sapphira, who schemed together to gain more creditability for a greater amount of generosity. It is Peter who supernaturally exposed them and their plan; they ended up losing their life over this hypocrisy!
The definition of hypocrisy is “a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious belief or principals, but does not really possess them” (Dictionary.com). How many times have you witnessed someone at church who puts on a virtuous display only to find out in the world they are anything but! If you were to tell their worldly friends that the person was a Christian, they would laugh at you! Him? No way! It’s called living a double life. You can be one person at church and a totally opposite one in the world. As we see from the story of Ananias and Sapphira, that can be a very dangerous place to be. Jesus addressed this type of person in His message to the church in Laodicea: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot…so because you are lukewarm I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16). Make up your mind on what you will be!