Ananias and Sapphira by G. B. Thompson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 30, 1903

Ananias and Sapphira

By G. B. Thompson

G. B. THOMPSON

The inspired narrative in the book of Acts concerning Ananias and Sapphira contains instruction for the church to-day. It is a brief, but terrible history. It was certainly a great sin which caused the Lord to interpose in so marked a manner, and remove from among his people those who through selfishness were led into hypocrisy. We should study, and heed the lesson well, that in these closing hours of probation we may not commit a like offense.

With many others Ananias and his wife heard the gospel preached by the apostles with power. The selfishness of their hearts was subdued, and the spread of the gospel for a time took precedence in their hearts. Led by the Spirit, they made a vow. The Lord had given them some of this world in trust, and they made a pledge to give to the Lord a certain amount. It was no doubt done after prayer and special seeking of the Lord to know his will in the matter.

This vow God heard. An angel from the heavenly court made a record of their pledge in the archives above. Doubtless this pledge was made in about the same manner that the servants of the Lord make pledges now. As we have listened to appeals from the servants of God touching the needs of the field, and heard the call for men and means to finish the work in this generation, that we might see our Lord and enter into our eternal rest, under the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit we have vowed that we would give a certain amount, or have devoted a certain thing, to the Lord's work in the earth. Perhaps we have given ourselves to the work, or pledged before the Lord more faithfulness in the payment of tithes than in the past.

Ananias and Sapphira did the same, and no doubt they were honest in their intentions. But Satan came in; he made suggestions which they entertained. They began to question the matter, and wonder if they had not really been too hasty. Their own needs came before

them, and a desire to reconsider their apparently hasty vow entered their hearts. They talked the matter over between them, and finally reached the decision that they had been entirely too liberal in their pledge, and that they would withhold a certain amount, yet pretend they were giving the entire amount pledged. But while they might easily deceive man, they could not deceive the Lord; he knew the wickedness of their hearts, and summarily removed them from the church. Instant death was visited upon them; two graves in the cemetery told the sequel. What an awful object lesson! And God has not changed!

Have we made pledges to the work of God, and not paid them? Have we, after making a pledge, thought we were too hasty, or that Brother—made a stronger appeal than the situation really demanded, and repented, and given only a part of the price? Have we vowed that we would give ourselves to the work of God, to some particular branch of the work, perchance, and have not done it? Have we vowed that we would pay an honest tithe, as the Word of God teaches, vowed before the Lord that we would give him his own, and at the end of the week, month, or quarter, brought in a part of the price, laying it down, saying, “There is my tithe,” yet knowing that it was not our tithe, but only a portion of it? What is the difference between this transaction and that of Ananias and his wife? “A warning was thus given to all who professed Christ at that time, and to all who should afterward profess his name, that God requires faithfulness in the performance of vows. But notwithstanding this signal punishment of deception and lying, the same sins have often been repeated in the Christian church, and are wide-spread in our day. I have been shown that God gave this example as a warning to all who should be tempted to act in a similar manner.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, pages 463, 464.

Surely we each should take this lesson to our hearts, examine our stuff, and see if we are faithfully fulfilling the vows we have made. Time is short; the heavenly court is in session, and we each have a case pending. The Lord is our friend; let us not seek to deceive him. Remember Ananias and Sapphira.