Start with the WORD: Acts 5:1-11 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.2 With his wifes full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles feet. 3 Then Peter said, Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didnt it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasnt the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God. 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land? 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. Look and Learn There is rarely a direct invasion of the church by satan and his demons. It is often subtle, very often slipping in through the loose attitudes of believers. In Acts 5, satan attacks the church through internal deceit in the actions of Ananias and Sapphira. At first glance, the punishment by the Holy Spirit for their enterprising action seems extreme. But profiting off the momentum of the growing church and its offerings was the same sin that outraged Jesus Christ when He turned the tables on the moneychangers in the Temple. Jesus called it a den of thieves. When we claim to give our offerings then hold back to profit off them, it is an offense to the HOLY SPIRIT. He will not have it and sets a precedent against it in Acts 5. Hear and Pray LORD, I pray that money and material things will not become idols in my life. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 15:05:14 +0000
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