Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Exodus 19-20
     New Testament Reading: Acts 5

“Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 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 people but to God” (Acts 5: 3-4).

Ananias and Sapphira looked to be just as generous in their giving as Barnabas, as they laid the proceeds from the sale of their property at the apostle’s feet. But it was all for show, as they had lied about the amount they had received. Ananias was probably expecting words of praise from Peter, but he suffered a stunning rebuke.

Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is given discernment to see the truth and says, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit”. The sin Ananias and Sapphira committed did not concern keeping or selling their property. Nor was it in keeping some of the money for their personal use and only giving God a portion of it. The sin was in the deception, the lying. Ananias and Sapphira were looking for personal glory from their giving instead of giving to glorify God.

The Lord loves a cheerful giver, not a deceptive one. (2 Corinthians 9:7) We are not to put on a pretense and give to look good in front of other Christians. Ananias and Sapphira saw what had happened when Barnabas and others gave their possessions, and they wanted some of the same praise and attention.

Jesus made it very clear we must be careful how we give. Our giving is to bring glory to God rather than to us (Matt 6:1-4, 19-34). Ananias and Sapphira’s lust for recognition conceived sin in their hearts. When we are more concerned with our reputation than with our character, there is no end to the things we will do just to make ourselves look good before others.

 God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7). is the perfect description of this event and provides a stern warning to us about our intention behind our giving.