Acts 5:1‐11

Read Acts 5:1‐11 slowly and prayerfully. What words or phrases stand out for you?



     But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2with 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? 4While 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!’ 5Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear
seized all who heard of it. 6The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him.
     7After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter 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.’ 9Then 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.’ 10Immediately 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. 11And great fear seized the whole church
and all who heard of these things.


Reflect
Why is this story included at this point in the story of the early church?
What’s the big deal?
How transparent and truthful are you when it comes to your participation in the church?


Respond
Identify an area of your life that needs to be more transparent and truthful so that God is clearly more central. Do one thing today that can move you in that direction.

Pray for the Spirit to guide your every action so that you might shine forth God’s truths more brightly.