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death of a good couple
Acts 5:1-11 (JDV)
Acts 5:1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property.
Acts 5:2 However, he put aside for himself part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the missionaries’ feet.
Acts 5:3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Sacred Breath and put aside for yourself from the proceeds of the land?
Acts 5:4 Didn’t it stay yours while it stayed with you? And after it was sold, wasn’t it under your jurisdiction? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.”
Acts 5:5 When he heard these words, Ananias fell and stopped breathing, and a great fear came on all who heard.
Acts 5:6 The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him.
Acts 5:7 About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
Acts 5:8 “Tell me,” Peter reacted to her, “did you sell the land for this price?” “Yes,” she said, “for that price.”
Acts 5:9 Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Breath of the Lord? Notice, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
Acts 5:10 Instantly she fell at his feet and stopped breathing. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband.
Acts 5:11 Then great fear came on the whole congregation and on all who heard these things.
death of a good couple
Ananias and Sapphira had many admirable qualities , and gave every impression of being a good couple.
- They were not in conflict with each other, but acted in unity.
- They were committed church members.
- They were even generous.
But this “good couple” died that day because God does not want to endorse hypocrisy and pretense. He is looking for genuine believers who are committed to reaching their community with the gospel, not just appearing to do so.
Lord, fill our congregations with honestly good couples and good individuals who are more interested in integrity than appearance.
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