004. Ananias and Saphira Dare Lie to God the Holy Spirit

 

 

Saphira

Which dress should I wear, Ananias?

Ananias

One that shows our social standing, Saphira;
we will meet with the apostles.

Saphira

Yes, we must be careful of appearances.
I disapprove of some in our group.
Those Greeks are not of our race,
they lack social standing in Jerusalem.

Prompter & Echoes

Some of them live in hovels!

Ananias

Jews from many lands celebrated Pentecost and became believers;
some stayed on in Jerusalem’s our church, without land or income.
Believers are selling properties to give funds to care for them.

Saphira

How foolish! Why don’t they just go home!
Well, it’s almost time; let me put on my shiniest jewels, Ananias.

Ananias

Barnabas started all the fuss over helping the needy, Saphira.
He sold some land and laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet!

Saphira

Ha! Leave it to Barnabas to make people feel guilty,
if they don’t follow his example.

Ananias

Well, he won’t outdo us.
We’ve seen that everyone will knows that we give.
We’ve sold that stony field and set half of the money aside for ourselves.

Saphira

Well, the time has come; now here we are in James’ home.
Hello, Barnabas. We appreciate your compassion for the needy.

Barnabas

The Holy Spirit has moved us all to share joyfully with those in need.
He also gives us power to testify of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus.
Thousands are coming to faith.

Ananias

Barnabas, you talk as if the Holy Spirit were God.
There’s only one God.

Barnabas

The Holy Spirit is God, but we did not come here to discuss theology;
we’re arranging to provide for those in need.

Prompter & Echoes

We care for those who suffer.

Ananias

Yes, quite.
Let’s put in a request to the Jewish Sanhedrin’s benevolence fund.

Barnabas

We give poverty’s victims what they need ourselves, Ananias.
Those with property are selling it to help the destitute.

Saphira

Let’s build a Nutrition Center and use it to hold social gatherings also.
Ananias and I also donate. I hope to see our names on a wall plaque’

Ananias

Yes, Saphira and I sold a field and we bring to you the entire amount.

Barnabas

Later, at another meeting, Peter and I are alone with Ananias.
Peter confronts him.

Peter

Ananias, you let Satan move you to lie to the Holy Spirit;
you kept back part of the price of the land.
No one forced you to sell it. It was yours to do as you liked.
Why did you devise this deceit in your heart?
You lied not to men but to God!

Prompter & Echoes

Perilous!

Peter

Hearing my words, Ananias falls down and breathes his last.
Young men carry him out and bury him.
Later, his wife Saphira comes, unaware of what happened.

Peter

Saphira, tell me honestly if you sold your land for the price you said.

Saphira

Of course, Peter. That was the price.

Peter

Oh, Saphira!
Why did you and Ananias agree together to test the Lord?
Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door.
They will carry you out, too.

Barnabas

Saphira falls, breathes her last, and they bury her by her husband.

Peter

News of this spreads, and all the people fear God now!

Prompter & Echoes

A lesson for all time!

PART II. Ananias and Saphira in a Modern Setting

Barnabas

Here are Ananias and Saphira in today’s world,
with a happier outcome.
They’ve learned from their namesakes
in the ancient Jerusalem church.

Ananias

Saphira, I have always wanted to visit Mexico.
Since we lead our church’s young people, I have an idea.
Let us ask our elders to send them on a mission trip to Mexico.

Saphira

Why, yes, Ananias! You and I will have a free vacation!

Ananias

Well, here we are with the elders.
Brother Barnabas, we have a request.
The young people we lead would benefit from experiencing
another culture and teaching with an interpreter.
Might the church sponsor a trip to Mexico?

Barnabas

Are you sure that to evangelize in another culture is all you want?
Might you have other motives, Ananias?

Ananias

No, Barny! We want the kids to see another land
and tell people about Jesus.

Barnabas

That is all? Are you sure?

Saphira

Of course, Barny! That is our only motive. Nothing else.

Barnabas

Nothing else? Then I can save you a huge amount of money.
Down the street lives a colony of recently arrived, poor Mexicans.
They brought their culture, speak no English,
and live as they did before.

Prompter & Echoes

Olé!

Barnabas

You will find them receptive, Ananias.
I know Spanish; I can translate.

Ananias

Oh. That is not quite what we had in mind, Barnabas.
The youth want a foreign trip ‒ the excitement of a faraway land.

Barnabas

And perhaps, you, too, would enjoy visiting Mexico?
A sort of vacation?

Saphira

Ah… Well, Barnabas, that had crossed our minds.

Barnabas

It is normal and wholesome to want to travel
and see exotic lands, but admit it!
We must not pretend always to have purely spiritual motives.
Now, let’s start over again.
Let’s discuss a mission trip for our young people.

Prompter & Echoes

Truthfully this time!

Barnabas

A well-planned trip can be useful for you, the kids,
and those you visit;
we might decide that they should go to another land besides Mexico.
The field you should visit depends on the need and other conditions.

Saphira

That is right. Thank you, Barny.
We must be honest before God with our motive.

Barnabas

Do you know why many congregations wither spiritually?
They put their own desires before Jesus’ commands,
and excuse their disobedience by ascribing holy motives
to what they do.

Prompter & Echoes

We will be honest before God!