The Great Pretenders
Together with kindness and in understanding, let’s take this time to self reflect. I am here to inspire, encourage, and remind you that God has given us the most important weapon we have to fight the enemy, His Word.
Now let’s dress our soul like we dress our bodies, EVERYDAY!
The Great Pretenders
“A certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 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.” Acts 5:1-2 NKJV
The New Testament Church was bustling with enthusiasm and excitement and was attracting a lot of attention. Jesus Christ had risen from the dead, God’s Holy Spirit was evidence by a display of power on the day of Pentecost, and three thousand converts were added to the Church that same day. New converts were excited about the opportunity to be involved in God’s work. Many had traveled long distances to be in Jerusalem and stayed longer than expected, and others needed support. Those in a position to help, and willing to do so, sold property and gave it to the apostles to distribute to others as needed.
Ananias and Sapphire were captivated by the growth and interest in the church. They saw it as an opportunity. Coveting power and prestige they played politics and conspired to tempt the spirit of the Lord. Sounds like an episode of American Greed to me. It’s a reminder that this kind of behavior and con is nothing new to the world.
Peter, who was filled with the power of the Spirit, knew instantly that Ananias was lying—not just to him but to God—and exposed his hypocrisy then and there. Ananias fell down and died. When Sapphira showed up, she, too, lied to Peter and to God, saying that they had donated the entire proceeds of the sale of the land to the church. When her lie had been exposed, she also fell down and died at Peter’s feet.
Why did God Judge them so Harshly?
We know they were likely true believers or church attenders because they were part of the community at the time. They were not outsiders. Which implies they were followers. Peter knew them by name. Their offering was accepted by the apostles in parallel to Barnabas’s gift. Their death brought great fear that seized the whole church and all who heard about what happened.
What is the lesson of these two great pretenders? GIVE WITH HONESTY.
Remember friends, we are each other’s keeper and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.