Thoughts for the Day

The Believers Share Their Possessions

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Ananias and Sapphira

But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ‘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? While 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!’ Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him.

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter 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.’ Then 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.’ Immediately 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. And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today we can wear masks! They can be a surgical mask to stop us giving or receiving germs, or they can be masks worn at a fancy dress party. Horribly they can be masks worn by someone on a scooter or bike who wants to rob you of your mobile phone, or to steal your car. But there's another kind of mask! Our faces and our words can mask the kind of person we really are!

We see how the new believers in Luke's Acts of the Apostles in their joy at what is happening, desire to share everything they have with one another - to hold all things in common - giving everything to the Apostles to share as is needed. No doubt Ananias and Sapphira were inspired by the generosity of those around them, and they offer to sell a field they own and give all the money to the fund. But behind the scenes they choose only to give part of the money to the church. The shocking and terrible punishment of the couple serves as a powerful lesson about the importance of honesty, integrity, and sincerity with others and with God.

As Christians we are called to be scrupulously honest with one another and with God. This story is a wake-up call to be real and truthful - in our work, with friends, and with our family. Learn to be open and honest, not hiding truths, both in our words and in our actions. Yes, our faces and our words can mask our intentions to those around us, but we should remember that God knows the secrets of our hearts!

Heavenly Father,
let us learn to dispense with masks
that try to hide our frailties
and allow us to seem better than we are.
Help us to question our motives
and the reasons for our actions.
Forgive us when we are less than honest
with ourselves and with others,
and encourage us to start again,
seeking the way of truth and integrity.
Amen.