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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Pros and Cons (08/14/14)
I have thought this through. I'm certain I've considered it from every angle and am confident this is the best decision. If my wife and I want to be part of the followers of the way, we must give them reason to believe we are fully dedicated.

Today I sold a piece of land. My plan is to keep part of the money from the sale for myself but tell the church I have given the full price to them. By supposedly relinquishing my possessions to the movement, I will:
  • Appear to have full devotion without losing my financial safety net.
  • Reap the benefits of taking part in the proceeds from the common fund.
  • Receive recognition from the apostles.
The movement is still so new; I have no way to know if it will be successful. I just want to have enough money saved back to start out on my own again in the event everything falls apart. After all, I have a wife and children to care for and support.

Tomorrow, I will take the money to Peter. I hope I'll be able to appear humbled by their gratitude so they will never suspect how much I'm looking forward to the recognition I will receive. The only way we can truly belong is if we appear to give all our assets to the movement.

***********************************************************

My husband came home with a wonderful idea yesterday. We have been attempting to find a tactic to make our devotion apparent to the followers of the way without actually needing to surrender all our goods. His plan is perfect.

He sold our property and deposited part of it in savings. The rest will go to the common fund. When he takes it to Peter and the other apostles today, he will tell them he is giving the church all the money we received from the sale. I'm so excited about having a higher status in the new social order we find ourselves.

I'll admit, I was a little concerned they would find out we didn't actually give all the funds to the church but Ananias said he is definite this is the best way. He even showed me the list he made of all the benefits we will reap from our little secret.

We don't want to invest everything in this movement; after all, we've always had a nest egg and now definitely isn't the time to change our practice. It's such a relief to find a way to have the good of complete dedication without committing entirely.

It has been nearly three hours since he left to take the money to Peter. Maybe I should go check on him.

***********************************************************

What a rough day. The church is learning to fear God afresh. Did Ananias and Sapphira really think they could lie to God?

By attempting to deceive God they lost:
  • All their money.
  • Their lives on earth.
  • Eternity with Jesus.
Father, have I failed? Did I neglect teaching? Show me the opportunities this devastating event has opened in the hearts of others. What can I say to persuade all the followers of the way to devote themselves entirely to you in sincerity? It would be better for them to turn their backs towards you than to fake their commitment.
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This article has been read 762 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
08/21/14
Brilliant!

God bless~
Brenda Rice
08/22/14
Marvelous story from God's Word that you have used to show us pros and cons.

Well written.
Danielle King 
08/23/14
I agree with the above comments. This is a superb and clearly defined way to get the message across. Good use of the topic too.
Joe Moreland
08/23/14
Great job with retelling this famous story from Acts. It really does make one wonder, doesn't it, how Ananias and Sapphira could not see that the consequences of such a lie would be catastrophic?

I love how you switched perspective to show that they were both on the same page and how you left us needing to go read the story again to refresh for ourselves how it all played out.

Great, great job!
Noel Mitaxa 
08/23/14
Creative, fresh profile of first-century deceit. Excellent work.
JK Stenger
08/24/14
I agree, a good, feeding read.It's a great witness too.
I like the fact that you manage to keep your articles fairly short and to the point. I personally seem to need every last word in the 750 word limit, in order to make my point, so I admire short articles that leave you with the feeling your house of faith got another solid brick.
Bea Edwards 
08/24/14
Totally unique way to present this topic. Way to go!