Lessons Learned from Ananias

This evening while I was reading my Bible, I came upon an interesting and sometimes puzzling or even frightening passage of scripture dealing with an instance of sudden death and divine judgment in the early church on which I thought I could write a brief blog. The passage is Acts 5:1-11. Basically what happens is that when people are making offerings to the church, a married couple, Ananias and Sapphira, sell a piece of land. Ananias keeps back part of the money for himself and then brings the rest of the money to the apostles as an offering and tells them it was the full price he got for the field. Somehow knowing that Ananias is lying, Peter confronts him about it, Ananias then dies instantly, and later his wife comes in and the same happens to her.
After reading this I had several questions: Were these two members of the church since they were bringing money as an offering? Were they saved then? Do their actions reveal that they were not saved? Did they go to hell when they died instantly? Why did they die instantly for this one sin?
I assume that they were wealthy because they owned a field they could sell. Perhaps Ananias wanted to impress other members of the church by giving money, but at the same time did not really want to let go of his money and thus, kept back a portion for himself. Peter’s speech to him seems to reveal the inward disposition of Ananias’ heart. Peter says, “Ananias, 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, was it not at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
The lesson for us may be revealed in examining this statement. Saying that Satan has filled one’s heart is pretty powerful. Satan is the ultimate deceiver. Perhaps Ananias was deceived into thinking he could have it both ways. He could indulge his own selfish desires and appear externally as one living for God. Maybe he thought he could fool God, or had possibly talked himself into thinking that what he was doing was not wrong.
God is concerned about our little inner world that only he and we know about, our thoughts, motives, and priorities, as much, or more than external aspects of life. If nothing else, this passage certainly gives us incentive to always be honest with God in our hearts and to examine the condition of our heart and our motives to be sure we are not living selfishly or to impress others while attempting to portray the hypocritical appearance of one who serves God. What do you think?