Our Lies

Acts 5:1-11 NRSV

“But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2 with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!” 5 Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. 6 The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him. 

7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.”

Bottom line - lying will mess you up. Lying to Holy Spirit will kill you spiritually. In this case physically. There was no reason at all for their lie. Ananias and Sapphira pledged the proceeds of their land. They didn’t have to pledge but they did. So when they sold the land the proceeds were to go to the community of believers. 

It’s the little things that mess us up. The little lies are really big lies that we can see the full ramifications of- because we think it’s just a small lie. But our lies to self are also lies to self are also lies to God. And he will slow walk us down.

Our tithe helps the church but more than that- it’s out of obedience to God. Many times we don’t give God the tenth and wonder why we can’t work with the 9/10 we get to keep. 

Let’s just bear in mind and in heart what we say and do as our lies will mess us up. enough for now.