Engage the Word Day 36 Ananias and Sapphira The early church in Acts took care of each other. Those who had more shared what they had so that no one was in need. One of those men was known by the name of Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement. He sold a field and put the money at the apostles feet. Barnabas had a generous and sincere heart to help others. Scripture: Acts 4:32-5:10 But there is another couple in todays story, Ananias and Sapphira, who arent so sharing minded. They also sell a piece of property; but before bringing the money to the apostles, they decide to keep some of the money back for themselves. Theres nothing wrong with that; its their money after all. The problem is that they decided they would tell the apostles they were giving the full amount they had received for the property. They decided to lie. They not only lied to men, they lied to God! There was also a difference in why they sold their property. Barnabas had done it out of love for others - a generous and sincere heart. I am sure Barnabas was praised by the apostles for giving. Ananias and Sapphira desired the praise for giving, not out of love for others but out of a desire to be honored by the apostles. Their decision did not bring them praise and honor; it brought them judgment and death. In fact, it even brought them dishonorable burials. Life Application: Deceit is destructive. Deceit builds walls of hypocrisy and distrust that eventually fall upon the perpetrator. When we commit deceit against God, then the consequences are certain, for God cannot be mocked (Gal. 6:7). The answer to deceit is confession and forgiveness. Is your conscience clear with God? God is always willing to forgive and restore
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 11:55:07 +0000
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