Ananias and Sapphira

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ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA

Acts 4:31-37; 5:1-11

Have you ever told something that was not true? land but, for some reason, decided to keep part of the Have you lied to your mother or father? No doubt, money for themselves. Ananias "brought a certain part when they found out that you were lying, there were [not all, but a part], and laid it at the apostles' feet." He consequences (punishment). was pretending that it was the full price of the land, but When someone tells a lie, they are trying to deceive it wasn't. (or mislead) others to believe something that is not Ananias might have expected praise from Peter, but true. How do you think God feels about lying? Prov- Peter said, "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart erbs 6:16-17 says that God hates a "lying tongue." One to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the story in the Bible tells how a man and his wife were price of the land?" How did Peter know that? It was the instantly punished for trying to de- Holy Spirit who told him this, for ceive. he could not have known it oth- Peter and John had been erwise. preaching about Jesus and healing Peter continued speaking to people in Jesus' name. They spoke Ananias: "The property was "the word of God with boldness" yours to sell or not sell, as you because God had given them His wished. And after selling it, the Spirit. Multitudes of people heard money was also yours to give and believed and were saved. away" (New Living Bible). Ana- The people "were of one heart nias did not have to sell his land, and of one soul." There was no nor did he have to give the division among them. These peo- money away. ple came from different cities and Peter asked Ananias, "Why different backgrounds, but they hast thou conceived this thing in were "all one in Christ Jesus" thine heart? thou hast not lied (Galatians 3:28). unto men, but unto God." This People began to take care of was serious. Ananias was trying each other. Many who owned to lie to God. God must have "lands or houses sold them," and they brought the been very angry! money to the Apostles. They "laid them [the money] As soon as Ananias heard what Peter said, he fell down at the apostles' feet," so that the Apostles could down dead! Great fear came on all the people who give the money to others as they "had need." "heard these things." Young men, who were there, One man who sold his land and gave the money to wrapped Ananias up "and carried him out, and buried the Apostles was named Barnabas (BAHR-nuh-buhs). him." This was a thoughtful and unselfish gift! Another man About three hours later, Sapphira came to where and his wife also decided to sell some of their land and the Apostles were. She did not know what had hap- give the money to the Apostles. Perhaps they were pened to her husband. Peter asked her, "Tell me wheth- there when Barnabas gave his money to the Apostles. er ye sold the land for so much?" This was an opportu- Perhaps they wanted some praise and honor from the nity for Sapphira to tell the truth. But she did not. She Apostles and the people. said, "Yea, for so much." But there was something different about their gift. Then Peter said: "How is it that ye have agreed See if you can tell what the difference was. together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the The man's name was Ananias (An-uh-NI-uhs), and feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the his wife was Sapphira (Suh-FI-ruh). They sold some door, and shall carry thee out."

Sapphira fell dead at Peter's feet, and the young trouble! You might not die instantly, as Ananias and men, returning from burying her husband, carried her Sapphira did. But your soul will die, because lying is a out and buried her beside her husband. "And great fear sin (Ezekiel 18:20). If you have trouble with lying, why came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard not ask Jesus to forgive you and to help you to always these things." tell the truth? Do you think Ananias and Sapphira thought they would be caught in their lie? They could not have MEMORY VERSE: imagined the consequences of that one lie. ". . . thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." When you are tempted to tell a lie, this is a good —Acts 5:4 story to remember. One lie can get you into so much

Ananias and Sapphira kept back part of the ______for themselves.

(Color the white to find the missing word)

Fill in the Blanks

A certain ______and his wife sold a piece of ______.

They decided to keep part of the ______for themselves.

But they wanted ______to think they gave all the money.

Peter told Ananias and ______that they had lied to God.

Use These Words

Sapphira money Peter man land