HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

Acts 5:1-11

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

This is one of the most chilling examples of how God deals with hypocrisy and sin within the body of believers. We are shocked by the story as both Ananias and Sapphira are struck dead despite what appears to be a rather high level of giving. It brings to mind the question, "How much is enough?"

I think the key is in verse 4 when Peter poses the question to Ananias, "Didn't it belong to you before it was sold?" The implication is, if the intention is to give -- then whatever you give is sufficient. However, if your intent is not generosity but rather selfish pride or recognition by others -- then the consequences can be rather severe, regardless of the amount of the gift. In other words, don't lie about your generosity. There is nothing wrong with holding back certain amounts from the sale of property -- that was not the sin. Their sin was in the lie or misrepresentation of the sales price.

Throughout the Old Testament are numerous accounts of how God deals with faithlessness, sin, pride, hypocrisy, etc. God is patient but He knows our hearts, and as a loving Father He also knows that discipline -- even severe discipline is sometimes needed. The result of this discipline is summarized in verse 11, "Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events."

Sometimes a new believer doesn't fully understand his responsibility when he accepts Christ and is welcomed into the family of believers. As in an earthly family, we assume and accept a new level of accountability and leadership from the head of our family -- Jesus. This is not a commitment we should take lightly or expect God to take lightly. Thankfully, God only makes such dramatic demonstrations against sin in the body of believers at certain times in church history. If you or I were struck dead the next time we spoke or did something hypocritical, I doubt we would survive the day. Think about Ananias and Sapphira on Sunday when you sing "All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Him, I freely give….." Boom! Down we'd go. The body of believers would be thinned our really fast.

Hypocrisy like many sins, begins with a lie. It ends as all sin does in death. Maybe not actual death like Ananias and Sapphira, but it kills your witness (does do as I say not as I do work for you?); it kills your joy (in order to justify your own hypocrisy you judge others to make yourself feel better); it kills your peace (if you're living in hypocrisy you must always keep your guard up, constantly fearing someone will discover the real you).

The land of hypocrisy in not the home any of us would choose to live in (or even visit). Is there any inconsistency in your words versus your life? Are you struggling with your witness, joy or peace? What needs to change?

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