Ananias and Sapphira

Sometime back, I'll say about 8-10 years ago, one of my daughters asked if she could keep the money she was going to put in the offering plate. She was kidding, of course, but as luck would have it, I had just read the story of Ananias and Sapphira as related in Acts 5:1-11, so I told her to read it and then make up her own mind. Into the plate went the envelope.

This story isn't a difficult one to understand, but it does have an important message we all need to remember. Ananias and Sapphira DID NOT have to:

1. Sell their lot

2. Give ALL their proceeds to the disciples

What they did in selling the lot was admirable, not mandatory, and the same was in promising to give all the proceeds to the disciples--again, admirable, but not mandatory. What they did wrong was not follow through on their promise, and that was what they were punished for. Just as Cain was rebuked for not bringing his best forward in Genesis 4, Ananais and Sapphira were punished not for their actions, but for their attempts to do less than they had promised. They hadn't kept their word.

This has important ramifications for us today, especially those of us  who might have tendencies to make promises to God when times are tough ("Hey God, you give me ____, and I'll always be in your debt."). Reminds me of that old joke:

A guy is looking for a parking spot, he's running late for an important appointment, and he finally prays and says "God, help me find a parking spot, and I'll go to church every Sunday." Right then, a spot opens up right in front of him, and he says "Forget it God, I just found one." (click here, please)

I'll be here all week, be sure to tip your waitress.

In the Age of Grace ushered in at Christ's death and resurrection, the strictures of the Levitic Law had been repealed once and for all, and obedience was no longer a condition for salvation. While there were plenty of Old Testament references to God not caring for empty ceremonies (an excellent example being Hosea 6:6, quoted by Jesus in Matthew 9:13), new times are upon the believers, especially with the ushering in of the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, we are freed from the bonds of sin and the drudgery of the Law, but with that freedom comes the responsibility to do what we say we're going to do. It may seem harsh how God treated Ananais and Sapphira, but if the wages of sin is indeed death, I guess he showed it rather vividly in this instance. It's advice we give our children all the time--keep your word, do what you say you're going to do and don' t make promises you don't intend to keep. What's good for our children is good for us also.

Scott