Warning Against Hypocrisy
47
In sharp contrast to the example of benevolence shown by the
believers, was the conduct of Ananias and Sapphira, whose experience,
traced by the pen of Inspiration, has left a dark stain upon the history
of the early church. With others, these professed disciples had shared
the privilege of hearing the gospel preached by the apostles. They had
been present with other believers when, after the apostles had prayed,
“the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they
were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 4:31
. Deep conviction had
rested upon all present, and under the direct influence of the Spirit of
God, Ananias and Sapphira had made a pledge to give to the Lord the
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proceeds from the sale of certain property.
Afterward, Ananias and Sapphira grieved the Holy Spirit by yield-
ing to feelings of covetousness. They began to regret their promise
and soon lost the sweet influence of the blessing that had warmed their
hearts with a desire to do large things in behalf of the cause of Christ.
They thought they had been too hasty, that they ought to reconsider
their decision. They talked the matter over, and decided not to fulfill
their pledge. They saw, however, that those who parted with their
possessions to supply the needs of their poorer brethren, were held in
high esteem among the believers; and ashamed to have their brethren
know that their selfish souls grudged that which they had solemnly
dedicated to God, they deliberately decided to sell their property and
pretend to give all the proceeds into the general fund, but really to
keep a large share for themselves. Thus they would secure their living
from the common store and at the same time gain the high esteem of
their brethren.
But God hates hypocrisy and falsehood. Ananias and Sapphira
practiced fraud in their dealing with God; they lied to the Holy Spirit,
and their sin was visited with swift and terrible judgment. When
Ananias came with his offering, 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.”
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“Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost:
and great fear came on all them that heard these things.”
“Whiles it remained, was it not thine own?” Peter asked. No undue
influence had been brought to bear upon Ananias to compel him to