by Jerry Senn
The couple, Ananias and wife, Saphira learned the lesson of what happens when we are pretentious and cover over our actions and intentions. Their story is found in Acts 5:1–11.
The new church had together committed to raising funds for the purpose of advancing the gospel of Christ in a very hostile atmosphere. Rather than scattering to their homes to hide, many were selling their positions and goods, Barabas even sold a piece of land he owned. They were bringing these treasures to the apostles with common love and devotion to the cause.
But this evil couple when they made a contribution stated flatly that they had given all the proceeds of a piece of land they had owned.
This was premeditated (planned) falsehood, and for what purpose had they lied? A hypocrite is “one who wears a mask.” I heard of a town in Arizona where some hotels, in winter time, actually paint their lawns green to look lush and beautiful. Of course, when it rains the green paint is washed away.
This is basically what Ananias and Saphira did. They faked both their personal intentions and the amount of their gift. Claiming to give “all” but their lies were found out with tragic punishment from God.
When are we sometimes tempted to be pretentious? Every time we lead a prayer, or every time we sing, “I surrender all,” or every time we say, “I’ll be praying for you,” or every time we step into the pulpit to point fingers at others without the intent of serving Christ with pure gospel truth.
Why doesn’t God deal with us as he did Ananias and Saphira? Well, God has used their story as a stark lesson of how he feels about hearts that are not sincere and attempt to hide our false intentions.
“Beward of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. When you give alms do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do” (Matt 6:2-16).
Your ideal is what you wish you were,
Your reputation is what people say you are.
Your character is what you really are.