Transformed in His Image

In Acts 5:1-11, there is a husband and wife, Ananias and Sapphira. Ananias sold a plot of land. He kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and laid it at the apostles feet.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?  Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

Ananias fell down and died. His wife came along a little later, not knowing what had happened.

Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

Peter then replied; “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

And then she was struck down and died also.

This is a really interesting story. It makes it sound as though God is really angry that they didn’t give all their money.

But really thats not how it goes. How much does God care about your money? Not that much. He can get along without the dollars or cents you put in the offering plate. He could get along without Ananias and Sapphiras money too.

So why did He strike them dead when they held back some of their money?

I think its not because of the money. Its because they lied. Not just before other people, but before God.

They pretended God wasn’t real and didn’t know what they were doing. As Peter says in the text, the property belonged to them before it was sold, therefore the money was there’s to do what they wanted with.

So. The lesson I got out of this piece of text?

Two things;

Giving is a privilege for Christians. Not a duty.

And God IS real. Don’t behave as if He isn’t.

I’m gonna repeat that because I think both are really important to keep in mind when handling our money.

Giving is a privilege NOT a duty.

God IS real. Dont behave like He’s not.

Have a great day, more posts coming super soon!

TransformedInHisImage 🩷