Check your heart
While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Acts 5:4
Today we are reading about Ananias and Sapphira. They were a husband and wife that sold some property and then took some of the proceeds and laid them at the apostles’ feet. They made a plan together to keep some of the money for themselves and give some to the church. That act in itself is not a bad thing, but what they did was tell the apostles that the amount they gave was the whole amount that they got for the property.
Why would anyone do that? Well, at the end of chapter 4, Barnabas came and gave funds that he received from selling property and obviously, it was a big deal or else it would not have made it into the scripture. It looks like Ananias and Sapphira wanted the attention and the glory for selflessly giving, so they lied about how much they received. Peter knew by the Spirit of God that they were lying, and he also told Ananias that what they did with the money didn’t really matter but what did matter was their heart was in the wrong place. Then He told him that he wasn’t lying to the apostles but to God. I know that the couple didn’t consider who they were sinning against or else they would not have done it. They imagined that no one would know the truth and that they could look like heroes despite what actually was happening. The rest of the story is that after Peter called them out, they fell down and died.
This has always been a hard account for me to grasp. Certainly, there have been others since then and before that have held back the truth in a situation. Yet this is the only place where we see the drastic consequences of a heart posture. There is an account in Exodus 16 where the people of Israel were complaining against Moses and Aaron. When Moses addressed the people about it, he said their complaints were against God not them.
God is actively involved in this world and especially with His leadership team. He takes it very personally when they are complained about, spoken against or lied to. God knows the heart of every person and He is aware of what is going on behind closed doors. This is a truth that we should be taking very seriously and even though we may not drop dead instantly like Ananias and Sapphira did, the consequences will be extremely high.
Today I want to encourage you to be honest with yourself and with God. He already knows what is in your heart, so why try to hide or cover it up. The best way to handle it is to repent as soon as you notice those jealous and deceptive feelings trying to get in. When this happens to me, I try to always quickly tell the Lord that I know these thoughts and feelings are not the right way to handle the situation or the direction that I want to go. Then I ask Him to empower me to overcome and get rid of the lies that are trying to get in. He is so faithful to help me to continue to resist until His peace comes. Take steps to be aware today of when your heart may be getting off track and go ahead and get help from Him ahead of time. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you when you are starting in a complaining or deceptive direction and then ask Him to empower you not to fall into that trap ever again.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 5:1-11
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.
2 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.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?
4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.
11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
The Daily Dose 