Land

was sold. The money from the sale was brought to the church. People

celebrated: “Thank you, Barnabas! What an encouragement you are!”

Then

Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, crafted a plan. They would also sell

some land. Prompted by the whispers of Satan, they planned to bring

some

of the proceeds to the apostles and then declare before God and his

people that they gave all

of the money to the church.

Why

would they make up such a lie? Did they want the same acclaim that

was given to Barnabas? Did jealousy entangle their hearts? Did greed

convince them that they should keep some of the money for themselves?

At

the end of this story there are two dead bodies and a fearful church.

Though everything seemed to be going well, the church includes people

who still struggle with sins, such as jealousy and greed—and so

much more. What we all need are hearts open to grace from God.

As

Peter confronted the couple, I am sure he did it with great sadness.

He knew what it was like to let God down and to disappoint Jesus

(Luke 22:54-62).

We

don’t have to have a heart filled with Satan’s whispers. There is

another way.