Passage
36 Joseph, a Levite and a Cypriot by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas, which is translated Son of Encouragement, 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
5:1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds from the field? 4 Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!” 5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. 6 The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him.
7 There was an interval of about three hours; then his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the field for this price?”
“Yes,” she said, “for that price.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree 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 Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. 11 Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.
Study Questions
Acts 4:36-5:11
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What might have driven Ananias and Sapphira to die?
Verse 36 and 37 provides a contrasting picture to Ananias and Sapphira when they sold property. The two was not like Joseph where he truthfully gave up what he sold. However, the two did not and lied to the Holy Spirit. More so than the actual property, it was their sinful heart that caused them to commit such act.
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How can I tell when the approval of others has become a personal idol?
As A & S sold their piece of land to be like the others and claim that they have done a thing, it is important that I need to check myself to see if what I have done was for God or for myself. I need to ask myself whether or not a specific act was done out of love for doing the act or for something else. This litmus test will help me to determine what my true motive is for doing whatever is before me. By being truthful to myself and asking for wisdom from the Holy Spirit, I can discern my true motive. Just as other events in Scripture, my motive is where I need to consistently check myself. God cares more about the motive and process than just the outcome.
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What deceptive ways do people use to gain a higher reputation than they deserve?
People lie, cheat, and bring others down to get a higher reputation. I remember loving how my school teachers praised me for describing what a fulcrum was when I had just read ahead to a future chapter. I loved the praise that I got and it deterred me from speaking the truth.
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How might such tendencies weaken or damage the church?
Such tendencies will cause a split between the congregation as the Truth will come out. Whether someone acted inappropriately or appropriately, Truth will prevail and shed light on whatever occurrence at hand. If a pastor did have sexual affairs outside of his marriage with other church members, people will find out eventually. When a leader of the church falls to temptation and sin, there are always consequences that cause shakeups to happen.
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Are there deceptive patterns that God is prompting me to repent of?
The deceptive pattern that God seems to be reminding me through this passage is my looking and studying for my next job. I tell others and myself that I am studying but yet I hardly spend the time required. When I look at myself, I see someone that is a fake and a leech who loves to do nothing but be lazy. Yet I tell myself and others that I am in the process of job hunting. How fake is this?
Free Thought
Thank you God for reminding me to get my butt off of my laziness and start putting in more time into obtaining a career pleasurable to you. Help me to continue to put my time into serving you and looking and praying for a position that will help me to speak to others about you. Amen.
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