Author : William Stewart
reprinted from “…And They Shall Become One Flesh” available on Amazon.com in Kindle format.
A good name is to be chosen rather than riches, loving rather than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1)
Keeping Up With The Joneses
Usually folks speak about keeping up with the Joneses, but in the first century, at least for Ananias and Sapphira, the challenge may have been keeping up with a man named Joses.
After the establishment of the church, many who had travelled to Jerusalem for the feast remained, learning the apostles’ doctrine, and worshipping God with fellow Christians. Though they had not prepared for such a long stay in Jerusalem, other Christians rose to the occasion, providing for those in need (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32, 34-35). Among those who shared their goods was Joses, a Levite, whom the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (meaning ‘Son of Encouragement’).
We do not know what motivated Ananias and Sapphira’s gift, as it is not revealed. What we do know is that they, like Barnabas and several others, sold a possession, and brought a portion of the proceeds to lay at the apostles’ feet for distribution among those who were needy. Did they feel pressure to give, seeing so many around them doing so? Did they see others receiving recognition (and really cool nicknames) for their gifts, and want the same? Did they feel compassion for those who had nothing, and want to share a portion of what they had to minister to them? Whatever the initial motivation, we know that it did not end well.
It is always good to do good (James 4:17; Hebrews 13:16; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). We should have a focus for good works, not just as individuals, but as married couples. At times one spouse will be aware of a need that the other does not see. Perhaps one spouse has more of a heart for giving than the other, and can thus help the other to grow in the expression of benevolent care. But let’s make sure that we are giving from good and honest motives; not to be seen by men (Matthew 6:1-4).
Sharing In A Lie
That Ananias and Sapphira gave is good, even if it may have come from wrong motives. Paul acknowledged that some preach the gospel from wrong motives, but nonetheless, rejoiced that Christ is preached (Philippians 1:15-18). Their gift was good, and beneficial to the saints, even if their reason for giving it and the occasion of giving it was not.
The issue with Ananias and Sapphira was not that they kept back a portion of the proceeds (Acts 5:2). Peter clearly recognized their right to do so,
“While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” (Acts 5:4)
They had agreed together to deceive people about their actions. If the same misrepresentation were perpetuated today, it might be counted as a “white lie.” After all, this little stretch of the truth wasn’t going to hurt anyone, right? No one would know. The needy would get the provisions they needed, and the couple would get the recognition they desired. A win-win situation, right? Perhaps that is what Ananias and Sapphira thought before they came to the apostles.
Couples sharing a lie together is not a new thing. For of the couples we’ve discussed thus far in our series did so:
- Adam and Eve were not the source of the lie about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but they bought into it when the serpent shared it with them (Genesis 3:6)
- Abraham and Sarah agreed to lie about their relationship to Pharaoh (Genesis 12:11-20) and Abimelech (Genesis 20:1-14)
- Isaac and Rebekah agreed to lie about their relationship to Abimelech (Genesis 26:7-10)
- David and Bathsheba agreed to lie about their night of adultery (2 Samuel 11:5-15)
When a husband and wife agree to lie, what they have done is conspired against one another’s soul, to invite the wrath of God. Lying is an abomination before God (Proverbs 6:16-19), and removes one from the presence of God (Psalm 101:7).
Lying destroys our integrity, before God, before our fellow man, and in our marriage. If a spouse is willing to share a lie for mutual gain, what is to say that he or she will not lie alone, for personal gain?
