Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira

The story of Ananias and Sapphira is evidence that the early disciples were not living under a communist-like arrangement, but they were required to live in community. Remember, unity is God-given defining purpose. A common purpose brings people together to work towards a common goal, fellowship. And community takes place when people share their life and possessions while they fellowship. Genuine community happens in an environment filled with honesty and free from pretensions.

When community begins to take place, the enemy will not waste time to try to spoil it. The enemy filled Ananias heart to lie about the sale of his property. He sold it for a certain amount from which he kept back some for himself. The sin is not that he kept back some money from the price because as Peter points out, it was his property to begin with and he had the right to do whatever he wanted with it. Even the selling of the property was a voluntary act. But he lied about the full price of the property to make it seem that both him and his wife were offering the full price of the property to the community. It seems that a certain Christian status was achieved if one gave "everything." And Ananias and Sapphira desired that status to the point of lying for it.

Unfortunately, both husband and wife plotted together to pretend that they were giving the full amount of the sale to the community. They both paid with their lives. It was important for the early Christian community to realize that distrust brings disunity. Community cannot survive it. It is for this reason that God acts with discipline against his displeasure. He makes this couple an example of how important it is to live in obedience to him and honestly with one another, without pretensions, without tainted motives. Community requires integrity from its members and God is displeased beyond measure when it is jeopardized.

I want to live the fullness of the Christian life. This fullness is only possible in community. God grants me a unity that gives me purpose. I come together with my brothers and sisters and fellowship as I work towards the common goal of worldwide evangelization. And community is developed as I share my life and my possessions with others openly and honestly without deceptions or pretensions. Christian Community is that important to my God that he was willing to execute his judgment upon Ananias and Sapphira to make them examples of the consequences of messing with its integrity. I must realize that anything that stands in the way of true community is ultimately, the work of the enemy among God's people.

Father, teach me to live in community. Help me become more transparent and honest. Help me grow in my giving and caring. May I learn to share openly who I am and what I have for your honor and glory. Amen.

Joshua 9 The Gibeonite Deception

One of the greatest powers God has conferred upon me and every human being is the power of choice. But the ability to make choices is not what makes me free. In the kingdom of God, true freedom is to be in relationship with God. Enslavement to sin will skew my choices for evil, but enslavement to my God will free me from the oppression of evil to make choices that are good for me and others. There is no neutral position; it is either good or evil. 

One of the most prominent manifestations of evil designed to oppress, even crush, my happiness is deception. The enemy is out to make me believe something that is not true. A deception is designed to look like truth. Biting on deception is like biting on bait placed on a hook. It's ultimate purpose is my demise. And when I make decisions based on deception, I bring upon myself consequences that may last a lifetime. Wisdom is to make good decisions. Good decisions are based on the discernment of the truth. The discernment of the truth is not possible without God's counsel because God is truth.

Unfortunately, Joshua made a decision, even a covenant, without seeking God's counsel. The Gibeonites deceived him to think they were people from far lands when indeed they were inhabitants of the land Joshua set out to conquer. Because of the hasty decision, Joshua made a covenant with the Gibeonites and spared their lives. The Israelites made them slaves, but they had to live with them every day; a daily reminder of their disobedience to the Lord. Deception is powerful and can alter one's life forever. The Gibeonite deception is a reminder of the Satanic deception in the Garden of Eden.

True freedom is in my subjection to the counsel of God. His counsel will help me discern the truth and avoid deception. My decision-making will be wise if I consult my God through prayer and his Word. Happiness will follow me, if I follow God's counsel. Wisdom and its benefits are rooted in choices guided by God's will. I want to exercise my power of choice while enslaved to my God. It is the only way to experience the joy of true freedom.

Oh God, I dedicate myself to you. I want to be wholly yours. May I seek you day by day and consult you before making decisions. Guide me with your truth. Spare me from deception.