Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 5: 1-11 (English Standard Version via www.biblegateway.com)
"Ananias and Sapphira
1)But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2)and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3)But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4)While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5)When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6)The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7)After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8)And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9)But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10)Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11) And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. "
Holy Cow! Have you read this! I'm not sure I have before this past Bible study week. It crossed my mind that Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead because they blasphemed the Holy Spirit which is the unforgivable sin. What do you think?
If this is the case, how many of us are dead? How many of us have shortened our tithe or skipped our tithe because we felt we couldn't afford it? Is that why they were struck dead or were they struck dead because of the lie?
I think it's because of both. As we discussed in Bible Study, it might not be because they kept some of the money but because maybe they felt pressure from their fellow believers who were giving all they received from sale of their possessions causing them to set up the lie. I can totally relate to that. I know I have felt "guilt" not giving more in my tithe but in reality it was what I could honestly give.
Thus is my prayer--
Heavenly Father, please soften my heart to my financial responsibility to You and my debtors. Father, You know what my budget is and You know what my needs are. Lord, I pray that You open my eyes that I may see these things too, that I may realize the difference between wants and needs. Holy God You are the creator of my needs and You tell us that being good stewards will produce blessings. God, I praise You for my jobs and I praise you for the blessings you have given me. I pray that I listen to Your desire for my life and am obedient. In Jesus name, Amen!
Really look at your life and what God says. What are your wants and what are your needs? Really look at this, honestly.
I have cut wants and working on more. I encourage you to do the same with your life... it's amazing how free we'll be!
God Bless you!
"Ananias and Sapphira
1)But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2)and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3)But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4)While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5)When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6)The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7)After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8)And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9)But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10)Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11) And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. "
Holy Cow! Have you read this! I'm not sure I have before this past Bible study week. It crossed my mind that Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead because they blasphemed the Holy Spirit which is the unforgivable sin. What do you think?
If this is the case, how many of us are dead? How many of us have shortened our tithe or skipped our tithe because we felt we couldn't afford it? Is that why they were struck dead or were they struck dead because of the lie?
I think it's because of both. As we discussed in Bible Study, it might not be because they kept some of the money but because maybe they felt pressure from their fellow believers who were giving all they received from sale of their possessions causing them to set up the lie. I can totally relate to that. I know I have felt "guilt" not giving more in my tithe but in reality it was what I could honestly give.
Thus is my prayer--
Heavenly Father, please soften my heart to my financial responsibility to You and my debtors. Father, You know what my budget is and You know what my needs are. Lord, I pray that You open my eyes that I may see these things too, that I may realize the difference between wants and needs. Holy God You are the creator of my needs and You tell us that being good stewards will produce blessings. God, I praise You for my jobs and I praise you for the blessings you have given me. I pray that I listen to Your desire for my life and am obedient. In Jesus name, Amen!
Really look at your life and what God says. What are your wants and what are your needs? Really look at this, honestly.
I have cut wants and working on more. I encourage you to do the same with your life... it's amazing how free we'll be!
God Bless you!
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