Ananias and Sapphira – Money Addicts

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. Acts 5:1-11

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

In the time of this story the early church is still getting its bearings and through the heart responses of the people enough money is coming in to care for the people who have been cast out of home and work because of their decisions to follow Christ. Because of the great needs of the people many are selling homes and properties to get the money to give to the church to help all of these displaced people. Ananias and Sapphira have been moved to sell a piece of property and want to give to the church but decide that they can give, and keep some of their promised money aside to profit by. They want the approval of the church and they want to make some money as well. So they sell the property and then they tell the church that they sold it for less money than what they received. When they knowingly were telling an incorrect sum of money and intentionally deceived the church, then God stepped in and used this case to warn the new church that God does not tolerate intentional deception. They were not looking for help and none more was offered. These two people, hardened in their addiction to money, were allowed to die to warn the rest of us to not trifle with God. Great fear came on the church and people gained confidence that God was really in control and He knew who was doing what.

Prayer for Today: God, You know our hearts and the addictive issues we suffer from. Protect us from ourselves and help us not to choose our addictions over You. Deliver us from our many addictions and grant us thy great peace.