Thursday, June 10, 2010
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet.
But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?
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."
Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried [him] out, and buried [him].
Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much."
Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband [are] at the door, and they will carry you out."
Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying [her] out, buried [her] by her husband.
So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
(Acts 5:1-11)
This story in the book of Acts teaches us a valuable lesson. Many times, we want to hold things back from God, not necessarily material possesions, but aspects of our lives that hinder our walk with the Lord.
We are commanded in Luke 9:23 to "take our cross and follow Him DAILY", not just for a few days of the week, but daily.
This has been something that has been hard for me to do from time to time, I always want to give 90% to God and keep the remaining 10% for myself, but we must remember, God wants our 100%, He wants us to fully give Him all and fully rely on Him. The world tells us that we are in ultimate control of our lives and destiny, but that is not the truth! Yes, we do make choices in our lives that affect the outcome, but what was going to happen, God already knew.
He knows the begging and the end and what will happen in our lives, He is in control of every situation...even when you don't feel that He is.
Other times, it is aspects or things that we do "in secret" and when no one is watching that we try to hide from God. People don't follow you everywhere and it is easy to put the "I'm holy and perfect" facade to the people even at your own church, I have seen many do it and I have even done it in the past, but God knows and sees it all.
This Annanias guy tried pulling that trick with the Apostles and more than likely told them that he had sold everything and was giving it to the early church, but they caught him in the lie, and what hurt them the most was not that he took them as a fool, but he took God as a fool. When we say we do something, let your Yes, be Yes and your No, be No (just as Matthew 5:37 says). Honesty before God goes a long way, and it goes a long way with people as well, if you are caught in a lie, consequences tend to be worse and you can even drift people away from God as the unbelievers look at Christians and the way they act.
Stop trying to hide that small percentage from God, it will only bring you trouble and will cause your walk to be flaky!
Stop trying to hide that small percentage from God, it will only bring you trouble and will cause your walk to be flaky!
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