Devotional Blog - Monday, January 2nd

Devotional Blog - Monday, January 2nd

Daily Devotional for Monday, January 2nd

The Deception of Ananias and Sapphira

Telling the truth usually has positive outcomes; or at least more positive than outcomes produced by lying. We learn this early, when our parents tell us that, if we tell the truth, things will go better; but, if we get found out in a lie, our punishment will be harsher. We can even see this in the legal system, where open admission of a thing generally results in lesser punishment than occurs after a lengthy investigation. The Bible teaches us that truth pleases God. How does God feel? “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight” (Proverbs 12:22).

We all know this story. This pair wanted to look good, so they sold a piece land and gave part of the proceeds to the newly formed church. The problem was not the part of the proceeds thing; the problem was that they preened and postured as if they had given it all. They had lied to the Holy Spirit; they had lied to God. Friends, lying to God and to others in order to look good is never a good idea. In fact, it is absurd to try, since God knows everything! In this case, they could not even fool other people, because their lie was exposed and they were quickly and harshly punished.

God expects His children to be truth tellers. He taught that here in a very direct way. Truthfulness pleases God. Truthfulness is also a good testimony to a lost and dying word about how Jesus Christ changes lives. On the other hand, Christians caught in lies do not reflect or show that we have changed at all. What are we showing?

Just a Thought: God knows everything, so why do we try to hide things from Him?

Wally Fry