Acts 5:1-11 NIV
[1] Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. [2] With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. [3] Then Peter said, “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 for the land? [4] Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” [5] When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. [6] Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. [7] About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. [8] Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” [9] Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” [10] At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. [11] Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Dear God, I suppose there are at least two lessons in this story. The first is, you are not to be mocked/disrespected. Peter makes it clear that Ananias as Sapphira were not only lying to everyone else, but lying to you. Who did they they they were fooling?

Second, there is great danger in just putting on a show for others. I’ve been where they are. I’ve wanted to make myself look better than I really am. And there are times when I give in to that temptation. In the case of these two, I don’t know what would have happened to them if they had just told the truth—here’s a lot of the money, but we are keeping some for ourselves. I don’t know why the peer pressure dictated that they give it all. But there was obviously something wrong with lying about it. Peter even tried to give Sapphira a chance to come clean, but she didn’t take it.

Father, I’m thinking this out Peter in an awkward spot too. He had to lead all of these people through uncharted waters. I guess my prayer for myself is that I ask your forgiveness for the times I misrepresent myself to others for my own glory’s sake. I’m sorry if that has hurt them or your plan in any way. And I pray that you help me to lead when I’m in uncharted waters. Help me to completely submit to you and your still small voice, even when I think I know what I’m doing. Especially when I think I know what I’m doing.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen