Dieing to Impress
Acts 5:5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard.
Acts 5 details two deaths. Ananias and Sapphira sold property. They gave part of the money, but said they had given all. They could have avoided death by simply telling the truth.
Acts 434 states that there was not a needy person among the believers, because those who owned property were selling it and laying the proceeds at the apostles’ feet. It mentions one person in particular, Joseph who was a Levite and a Cypriot by birth. The apostles called him Barnabas.
Selling property and giving the proceeds to the church could have made others praise some of the rich early believers. Those in need, and maybe even the apostles themselves, would be impressed by the givers’ generosity. Ananias and Sapphira may have wanted that good name, but not wanted to pay the full cost of it. So they agreed to lie. They paid for that lie with their lives. Peter said they did not lie to men, but to God.
My prayer is “Lord, help my be honest — first with you and myself and then with others. Help me be who you made me to be. In your mercy, keep me from the need to impress others. Keep me from overstating who I am and the gifts you have given me. Help me give all glory to You. Amen.
CC: K Carswell 2022
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
CC: K Carswell 2022
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
"Crucified, Hidden, Seated" 