Focal Passage: Acts 4:36-5:11
As we begin our study this week, we see two stories about two similar events. Neither gives a great deal of information about the details, but only a summation of the very different outcomes.
In Acts, Luke, as with his gospel, was more interested in his readers understanding the “why” rather than get caught up in the minutia of the particulars. We can assume that there were more to each of these stories than what Luke chose to include.
For example, Luke doesn’t tell us why Barnabas decided to sell his land and give the money to the church. Similarly, we do not know why Ananias and Sapphira decided to do the same. All we know is that one had righteous motives and intent and the other did not.
One fulfilled their promise to God and the church and the other didn’t. Then to make matters worse they lied about it. Instead, Luke chose to focus on the motives of these individuals and to show how God judges the heart as well as actions.
Nimmo
In Acts 4:36-37, we see a man named Joseph whom the Apostles later call Barnabas. He had a field which he had sold. He gave the money to the church to be distributed as the Apostles saw necessary. He had no stipulations and his motives and heart were pure. His promise and commitment to God was fulfilled with honesty and integrity.
In Acts 5:1-11, we see a couple whose names were Ananias and Sapphira who had done the same. But unlike Barnabas, their motives were not righteous. Apparently, they had promised God one thing and then did something entirely different once they had money in hand.
We do not know what drove their motives. We can only speculate on possibilities. Was it because they saw what Barnabas did and wanted some of the attention? Was it envy? Was it greed? Was it pride? We simply do not know. But, God did know. Somehow their ill motives and consequent deception were discovered and exposed.
Peter confronts Ananias about his sin. He tells him that lying about his change of mind was unnecessary. The land was his to do what he wanted, and so was the money. Ananias should have been truthful with God about his intentions and motives and not lie to God nor the Church. It was at that moment God brought swift judgement and Ananias falls dead on the floor. Sapphira comes in later and Peter confronts her about their deception as well. Obviously, the couple had a rehearsed response and she delivers the same lie. She suffered the same fate as her husband.
We should never think we can pull anything over on God. We may be able to deceive others with our actions, but we will never fool God.
God not only sees our actions, but also knows our hearts and motives and He will hold us accountable.
You can’t help but wonder if Ananias and Sapphira had only confessed their sin and asked God for forgiveness instead of lying about it and covering it up, if their outcome would have been different. B&R
