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Ananias  and  Sapphira  

There's no way for a couple who loves, supports and works together to fail. At least that’s what we might think of Ananias and Sapphira if it weren’t for this small (but great) detail: they didn’t have God at the center of their relationship.

They lived in the time of the apostles, saw the Lord at work among them, most likely they met Jesus and witnessed His death. Despite this, they decided to fail Him. 

Let me tell you their story: After the resurrection of Jesus, those who had believed were of one heart and one soul, that means they were united. Everything was for everyone, no one lacked anything, for those who owned estates or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles, so they could distribute to everyone according to their need.

But Ananias sold his property and instead of bringing all the money to the apostles, he kept a portion for himself, and his wife Sapphira consented. Instead of saying, "No, my love, remember that this is a job for God," she supported. They had time to think about it, but they decided to carry out their sin. 

When Ananias went before Peter, bringing him "all the money" of the property, God revealed to him what he had done and there he died. Three hours later Ananias' wife entered, and without knowing what had happened, she also lied about the property’s money and also died as a punishment. 

No one saw the hearts of this couple, they seemed perfect, but they weren’t. They  believed that they could deceive the apostles, but they forgot that God cannot be mocked. 

From this story we can learn three lessons:

1. If you have time to plan the idea, you have time to abandon it. Ananias and Sapphira could say, "This is not right, let us hand over all the money," but it wasn't so. They decided instead to complete their evil and that cost them much more. If there's  something you can change and you have the opportunity to do it, don’t let it go. Not everyone has that chance.

2. Choose the right people to be in your circle. How different the story would have been if Sapphira had advised her husband to do the right thing. As humans, with a sinful nature, it’s normal to have an inclination to do evil, but... Do we have people who advise us, who tell us when we are wrong and help us to improve? If not, start changing your environment.

3. The heart is worth more than appearance. Ananias and Sapphira wanted to be seen doing a good deed, otherwise they would have kept their property or sold it and kept all the money. However, they took only part of it, for the others to see. God looks at what is within, and we must please Him first, for people will always have an opinion, but what God thinks is what really has weight and value. Do things for God, not for men. 

God doesn’t care that you seem to be the best Christian, that you offer a lot of money, that you go out to do missionary work, that you preach, write or publish powerful things if your heart is far from Him. Today we can review our lives and ask ourselves if we are doing things to be approved by our brothers or to be approved by God. 

Leslie Ramírez