Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Acts 5:5, ” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. ” 

Background

When God began things back in the garden of Eden, He gave one command to Adam. He told him not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day that he did, he would surely die. Eventually, Adam and his wife did partake of the forbidden fruit, perhaps having forgotten for the moment the foreboding promise that came with that particular meal. But when they heard God walking about the garden, their recall was 20/20, and they hid from Him in fear. We can’t know for sure, but it’s highly possible that Adam figured that his days on earth were through, that God had discovered his transgression and had come to exact His judgment of death. But Adam didn’t die, at least not physically. That came much later. But not so for Ananias. During the time of the birthing of the church, many were selling their possessions and granting to the apostles the freedom to distribute the money as they saw fit to those in need. Barnabas was named as one who sold land and laid the money at the apostles’ feet. He later became a fellow traveler and evangelist with Paul. 

Application

Ananias also sold a possession and brought money to the apostles, laying it at their feet. But he didn’t go on to travel around Asia, spreading the message of Jesus. He did, however, affect the growth of the church. For he got what Adam didn’t immediately get. In giving the proceeds of his sale, apparently Ananias wasn’t completely forthright about the price of the sale, and presented the portion he gave as the full price of the land. But this time, God was not to be trifled with. As His church was beginning to multiply, God had no tolerance for deceit and hypocrisy. And when Ananias hit the ground, fear hit the people. Three hours later, his wife joined him in his lie, and in the cemetery. And fear struck again. But as the people saw God protect His name and His church, the followers came. God’s holiness wasn’t watered down, but neither was His church. And that’s something that Satan is very afraid of. 

Charge

As we seek Him today, let God remind you of the fear that we should have. Glorify God with a fear that leads to worship of Him.  

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words