The Church as founded on the Day of Pentecost was a “giving” organism! Generous to the core! I mean to this extent: “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” Acts 2:44-45

No poor folks there, not among the real believers!

And among these marvelous “givers” was a man named Barnabas, as Luke tells us in Acts 4:34-37. “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses (Joseph), who by the apostles was surnamed BARNABAS, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Wow!

No doubt practicing Jesus’ Maxim: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35, which are some authentic “words of Jesus” that are not recorded anywhere in the Gospels! But the Holy Spirit reported them to the Apostle Paul, under divine inspiration!

Looks like those “givers” were held in high regard within the Church Body. And rightly so. People who had learned the vital spiritual truth: “Give, and it shall be given unto you.” No doubt God replenishing one’s “store” … so that he or she can give again! Quoting Luke 6:38 here.

So, a couple in the Church (really born again folks, I believe) had some land (a possession), as did Barnabas. And they … “And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 5:2, nothing wrong so far. No doubt they are at least tithing, probably more.

But in giving that gift (apparently publicly, before the whole Assembly) they implied that they were sacrificing it ALL unto the Lord, to His work!

I say that based on the precedent of earlier gifts to the nascent Church, and upon this Scripture (Peter addressing Sapphira, the woman in the duo, Wife of Ananias) … “Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?” Now clearly, they have indeed lied about the amount of money involved!

For this sin, both Ananias and his Wife were slain (killed) by the Lord! “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost (died). Citing Acts 5:3-5 here.

Obviously, an example of the “sin unto death” of 1 John 5:16.

Here too … just later that grave, somber day: “Then Peter said unto her (Sapphira), How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.” Acts 5:9-10

Why?

Hypocrisy!

Putting up a “false front!”

“Play acting” at God’s House!

Astounding, in the least!

Now … note with me a couple of things about today’s Scripture.

First of all … in one place (Acts 5:3) Peter boldly accused Ananias of “lying to the HOLY GHOST.”

Then, just one verse later, Peter told the man that he had lied to GOD! Yes, Acts 5:4 … “Thou hast not lied unto men, BUT UNTO GOD.”

The point being, important … we’ve come upon clear Scripture teaching … the Holy Spirit is God! He is divine, is a Member of the Godhead! (God and Holy Spirit are here equated in a two verse span!)

Then too, to those who may thing this judgement was too harsh! Instantly dropping dead at Church during the offering! We might remember this was the pure, young infant Church! So far untainted by insincerity! And Oh, how God wants His Church to be pure! “Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.” Song of Solomon 4:7

By the way, the name “Ananias” (surprisingly) means “gracious!” And yet God “killed” him? Yes, in a unique way “death” for the Christian is a stroke of grace! “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15) And IF Ananias and Sapphire were saved, a very strong likelihood, it was for them a case of “absent from the body, present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

I am now reminded of one more applicable verse for today’s Lesson … “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17

Hebrews 12:6 too … “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Living pure lives for our Lord … serious business!

.