Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Integrity (04/11/24)
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TITLE: Check Your Heart | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Fahy
04/18/24 -
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Barnabas a Levite from Cyprus approached a small group of people sitting on the outskirts of town. The group spokesman told him they just arrived in the early morning from the north. He added that they traveled for three days, and the last one was without food.
Barnabas welcomed them. He called to some disciples. “These travelers are hungry bring them some food and water.”
The men returned with bread, grapes, and water. They handed out the food. Barnabas told the group that they were welcomed, and they would be comfortable during their stay. “We share what we have,” he told them, “We are like-minded.”
Barnabas was known as “son of encouragement”, he led by example. He was looked up to by all as a leader. He sold property and laid the proceeds at the apostle's feet to assist the those in need. Barnabas was a sacrificial giver.
A couple, Ananias and Sapphira, wanted a reputation like Barnabas, a sacrificial giver. They were trying to be someone they weren’t. The believers at this time were held together by their love for each other. This was a higher value for them than their possessions. Those that sold their land and goods took the money and laid it at the apostle's feet.
Annas and Sapphira also sold a piece of property. Ananias, with his wife’s knowledge, held back part of the money for himself and laid the rest at the apostle’s feet. Ananias made a pretense of giving all the money to the apostles. Peter being filled with the Holy Spirit, said to him, “Ananias how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received from the land?” Peter continued questioning him of why he did such a thing because Ananias had other options. He told Ananias that he not just lied to human beings, but to God. When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. Some men came forward, wrapped up his body and carried him out and buried him.
Later that day, Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened to her husband. Peter asked her, “Tell me is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the spirit of the Lord?”
She met the same fate as her husband. She fell down at Peter’s feet and died.
Ananias may have said earlier, he would give the entire amount of money to the apostles. When the time came, Satan entered his heart. This couple wanted to be praised by the church, but their actions led to sin and their death. They coveted, the praises of men instead of God.
God sees our heart. Ananias and Sapphira could’ve kept part of the proceeds or could’ve kept it all. Their agreement was between God and themselves. The problem was they wanted others to believe they sacrificed everything when in reality they only gave part.
Why would God kill two people for lying? It is because of his hatred of sin the hypocrisy of the couple and to show a lesson for all the church both then and now. God was protecting his church by doing what he did to Ananias and Sapphira. Their conspiracy led to sin and their death.
Have you ever done what this couple did? You say one thing and do something different? Even if it was just slightly different? Then give everyone the idea you followed through on what you originally said. I know I have. It becomes a rock in my backpack. The thought of what I did will arise and catch me off guard at some point. It will always nudge at my heart.
If someone discovers, we didn’t do what we said. How much would they trust us in the future? Or we may get away with it and no one finds out. That only makes it easier to do in the future. This story is a reminder to us today that God sees the heart (1Samuel 16:7). God detests sin. As Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.”
Based on Acts 5
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