Does this story make you uncomfortable? It should. Ananias and Sapphira’s sins reveal their hearts. They did not have to sell their property nor give away the proceeds, but they craved the praise of the community. They did not have to lie, but they longed to maintain financial security. Their actions evidenced that they loved money and the praise of people more than they feared God. Like them, we sin because, in that moment, we don’t fear God. We’re not content with God and his promises and we want things our way and on our time.
Moreover, like Ananias and Sapphira, we are often unconvinced that sin is really that serious, or at least not so serious that that we wouldn’t do something small like lie if it meant gaining power, comfort, control, or approval. Yet, the reality is that all sin is deadly serious. It is rebellion against God’s rule. Further, as God’s image bearers, we are made to reflect God’s character. When we sin, we are lying to the world about who he is by acting in complete opposition to what he is like. The judgement of God on Ananias and Sapphira made plain to the church that Jesus’ work on the cross in no way lessened the seriousness of sin. God will not let sin slide, nor will he be mocked by those who wave the flag of grace while clinging to their sin. As the apostle Paul would later write to the church in Rome, “if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). Sin is deadly serious, and—like a small leak in a boat—every sin, no matter how “small”, would drown you if left alone (James 1:15). Don’t play with sin. Don’t let it fester. Recognize that God judged Ananias and Sapphira for the sake of the church. He did not want their sin to spread. He knows that life is found in his presence and nowhere else, and that sin separates people from him—he wanted his people to live!
Take time now to repent of your sin and ask God to help you put it to death by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Then, look to Jesus, our only hope for rescue from sin’s consequences. In him, God is faithful and just to forgive sin and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Use the acronym IOUS, turning the prayers of the Psalmist into your own.
Incline my heart to you and not to prideful gain or any false motive!
Psalm 119:36
Open my eyes to behold wonderous things out of your Word.
Psalm 119:18
Unite my heart to fear your name.
Psalm 86:11
Satisfy me with your steadfast love.
Psalm 90:14