A husband (Ananias) and his wife (Sapphira) had agreed to lie about land they had sold to appear generous and pious.  They had kept part of the money for themselves but had said they had given the full amount for the work of God. (Acts 5:1-2)

  Peter confronted Ananias who did not retract the lie and he died and was buried.  Now read what occurred next:
(NASB) Acts 5:7-11 “Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter responded to her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?’  And she said, ‘Yes, that was the price.’
9 Then Peter said to her, ‘Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test?  Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.’
10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”

  The works you do, the good works you do, what is your motive?

Evaluation time:
*Are you doing the good works to please God or to appear pious before others?
*Are you giving what you said you would give (whether monies, time, talent) or are you holding something back?
*Are you giving what you said you would give?  For your integrity, your honesty is on the line!
*Have you asked God to show you where you are to invest your time, your monies, your talents for His glory?
*Are you asking the living God of the Holy Bible when to say “no” to good works – so you won’t be stretched beyond your stamina and your endurance?
*Are your good works for appearance so others will praise you and applaud you?  (Only you and God know this.)
*God’s judgment is just and it is final!  (There is no higher court to which you can appeal.)

~ Take it to heart ~

Workers for God Requires Honesty.
Are you being honest?

Categories: The Acts of the Holy Spirit