A Warning Against Hypocrisy.
As The disciples proclaimed the truths of the gospel in Jerusalem, God bore witness to their word, and a multitude believed.Many of these early believers were immediately cut off from family and friends by the zealous bigotry of the Jews, and it was necessary to provide them with food and shelter.
The record declares, "Neither was there any among them that lacked," and it tells how the need was filled.Those among the believers who had money and possessions cheerfully sacrificed them to meet the emergency.Selling their houses or their lands, they brought the money and laid it at the apostles'
feet, "and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."This liberality on the part of the believers was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit.The converts to the gospel were "of one heart and of one soul." One common interest controlled them--the success of the mission entrusted to 71them; and covetousness had no place in their lives.Their love for their brethren and the cause they had espoused, was greater than their love of money and possessions.Their works testified that they accounted the souls of men of higher value them earthly wealth.
Thus it will ever be when the Spirit of God takes possession of the life.
Those whose hearts are filled with the love of Christ, will follow the example of Him who for our sake became poor, that through His poverty we might be made rich.Money, time, influence--all the gifts they have received from God's hand, they will value only as a means of advancing the work of the gospel.Thus it was in the early church; and when in the church of today it is seen that by the power of the Spirit the members have taken their affections from the things of the world, and that they are willing to make sacrifices in order that their fellow men may hear the gospel, the truths proclaimed will have a powerful influence upon the hearers.
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, 72Ananias and Sapphira had made a pledge to give to the Lord the proceeds from the sale of certain property.
Afterward, Ananias and Sapphira grieved the Holy Spirit by yielding 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."73
"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 sacrifice his possessions to the general good.He had acted from choice.But in attempting to deceive the disciples, he had lied to the Almighty.
"It was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?
