“Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.” Gal. 6:7 Amp
In this church setting, they had all things in common: A real community, shared resources, sensitivity to others, security and a trust in Jesus.
At this time, sinners---even the murders of Jesus---were repenting and being forgiven and accepted, the sick were healed; great grace was upon them.
But, in the midst of this “paradise”, the serpent enters the garden again!
The story is horrific! Ananias and Sapphira are ordinary people just like us.
Don’t we sometimes participate in “impression management” where we manipulate others’ opinion of us? Who hasn’t sometimes withheld the truth or covered up with a “white lie”?
Ananias and Sapphira’s motives were probably ordinary and defensible. Perhaps their motive was inspired by the generosity of Barnabas. Maybe their fearful selves wondered what would happen to them if they gave all their money away or possibly their critical selves questioned about ‘those’ on the receiving end of their money.
Is it possible they distrusted the leadership of the church on how they would spend ‘their’ money?
Whatever their motive was, in the end, their selfishness and pride won out, they wanted glory without sacrifice! They wanted the same recognition as Barnabas without paying the price!
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was not money, but deception: hypocrisy.
Let us never forget there is not sin that is impossible for anyone of us to commit.
We do have the grace of God through repentance!
Let’s use it!!!
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