A few days ago we considered the importance of truth. Continuing with that theme, let’s look at a passage in Acts.
The book of Acts is transitional. Old Testament Law had been done away with at Christ’s death. The church was just beginning in the book of Acts, and chapter 4 concludes with a description of the unity and generosity of the believers during this time. Voluntarily, not because it was or ever would be a requirement, believers were selling property and taking the proceeds of the sales to the apostles. The apostles were then distributing to other believers in need. Love and graciousness and selflessness were the motivations.
In Acts 5, however, we read that the husband-and-wife duo of Ananias and Sapphira also sold a piece of property. Desiring to appear gracious and selfless, they pretended to give all the sale price of the property to the apostles; the truth, however, was that they sold it for more than what they were giving and kept some money for themselves. To be certain everyone understood that the sin here was lying, not greed, Peter clarified, “’While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God’”(Acts 5:3-4). In the next verse we read that Ananias then, “fell down and breathed his last”(Acts 5:5). A couple verses later we read that Sapphira told the same story to Peter and then, “fell down at his feet and breathed her last”(Acts 5:10).
Truth is part of who God is. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life”(John 14:6). In the book of Revelation, John prophesied that one day the heavens will open, “and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True”(Revelation 19:11). Passage after passage, narrative after narrative in the Word of God teach us that truth is essential and deceit is offensive to God.
The actions God took with Ananias and Sapphira reminded the people within this new entity, the church, that truth and the purity of the church are vitally important. They should be important to us. We are 2000 years into the church age, not living during a transition time when God is likely to strike us down to emphasize the importance of truth. God’s character has not changed, however. When opposing views present themselves, search for truth. When relating a story, resist the temptation to fudge on the facts. Some people feel that if nobody can prove them wrong, they’re not actually lying. Pretty soon they’ve lost discernment to see their own dishonesty. We may think that our stories travel only horizontally, but Peter reminded this couple, “’You have not lied to men but to God’”(Acts 5:4). Today, value truth.
The next blog will address another problem with Ananias and Sapphira’s perspective.