Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

March 13
Thursday


COMPLETE
HONESTY

READ:
Acts 5:1-11
_____________________________________

why have you
conceived this thing
in your heart? You have
not lied to men but to
God. __Acts 5:4
_____________________________________

Ask the friends and families of six people buried in a collapsed subway tunnel about complete honesty. Their loved ones' rescue was delayed for hours when the contractor didn't report the disaster to the authorities immediately. Instead, the company sealed the site and confiscated cell phones. It wasn't an outright lie, but it was a cover-up. This dishonest act showed disregard for life.

In the book of Acts, God gave us a sobering example of how He views dishonesty (4:32-5:11). Some believers had sold their land and shared all the proceeds with the church. Ananias and Sapphira decided to do likewise. But the couple kept some money back despite declaring that they had given the whole amount. Expecting commendation, they were struck dead instead.

Was their punishment too harsh? After all, their "slight" lie wasn't life-threatening. "Whoever falsely boasts of giving is like clouds and wind without rain," warns Proverbs 25:14. The apostle Peter asked Ananias, "Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?" (Acts 5:3), adding, "You have not lied to men, but to God" (v.4).

If we are completely honest with ourselves, can we say that we are completely honest before God? __Albert Lee
_____________________________________________________________

Lord, by Your Spirit grant that we
In word and deed may honest be;
All falsehood we would cast aside__
From You, O Lord, we cannot hide. __D. De Haan
_____________________________________________________________

There are no degrees of honesty.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Acts 5:1-11***************

1 But a certain man named
Ananias, with Sapphira his
wife, sold a possession.

2 And he kept back part of
the proceeds, his wife also
being aware of it, and
brought a certain part and
laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, "Ananias,
why has Satan filled your
heart to lie to the Holy Spirit
and keep back part of the
price of the land for
yourself? 4 While it
remained, was it not your
own? And after it was sold,
was it not in your own
control? Why have you
conceived this thing in your
heart? You have not lied to
men but to God."

5 Then Ananias, hearing
these words, fell down and
breathed his last. So great
fear came upon all those who
heard these things....

7 Now it was about three
hours later when his wife
came in, not knowing what
had happened. 8 and Peter
answered her, "Tell me
whether you sold the land for
so much?" She said, "Yes,
for so much.

9 Then Peter said to her,
"How is it that you have
agreed together to test the
Spirit of the Lord? Look, the
feet of those who have buried
your husband are at the door,
and they will carry you out."

10 Then immediately she fell
down at his feet and breathed
her last. and the young men
came in and found her
dead, and carrying her out,
buried her by her husband

11 So great fear came upon
all the church and upon all
who heard these things.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Although giving was voluntary in the early church, the deception
of Ananias and Sapphira regarding their contribution to the church
involved the serious sin of lying to the Holy Spirit. The severe
dicipline for their sin spread a reverential fear to all those who
heard of it (Acts 5:5,11). __HDF