Acts 5:1-11
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part 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 keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also. 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Quickword: Honesty With The Holy Spirit
Ananias and Sapphira a married couple sold a possession and he kept back part of the proceeds with Sapphira’s knowledge. When Ananias laid part of the proceeds at the Apostles feet, he was asked why did he lie, that this lie was not to men but unto God. Ananias then fell down and breathe his last breath. Later, when Sapphira was asked, she as well lied about the proceeds. Not knowing what happened to her husband, she too fell dead and the same men who carried her husband away carried her away.
- There are consequences when lying to the Holy Spirit.
- Our surrender to God must be absolute.
- Our Dedication to primary relationships cannot take precedence over our relationship with God.
This text is not a word that leads to praise, yet it is a strong reminder of the power of God. Ananias and Sapphira‘s dishonesty and the consequences are a warning to all of us that we are expected as believers to be honest about all things to include our possessions and gifts to God. Great fear seized the early church and all who heard about these events. This text is a reminder that God is a just God.
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