“The Death of Sapphira”
Ambrosius Francken II (@1581-1632)
from Acts 4:32-5:11
(see end of post)
What a story! A simple lie ends in two deaths. It seems that members of the early church were taking Jesus quite literally. They were selling their properties and goods and giving all the proceeds to the common purse, to be distributed as necessary for the good of all. Ananias and Sapphira decided they wanted to be a part of this amazing action. But they thought it might perhaps be wise to tuck at least some of the proceeds of their sale under their mattress. You know, just in case something unexpected turned up in their lives. They did want to support the community generously, to be sure, but they also wanted to provide a bit of a safety net for themselves.
They did not, however, want anyone else to know about this. They were a proud couple, and they wanted the apostles to think that, like the others, they had given their all. How to manage this? Not so difficult. A simple lie should do the trick. Tell the leaders that their donation was indeed the total of what they had received from the sale of their property, and they could hold their heads as high as all the other members. So together they simply created an “alternative fact” about their contribution. They simply lied. And both of them died as a result.
We all lie. We lie at times to promote ourselves. Sometimes to protect ourselves. Whatever. We hope and expect that the results of our lying will be beneficial for us. But the Ananias and Sapphira story tells us differently. It tells us that when we lie, whether it’s a real whopper or just a mere shading of the truth, something in us dies. Far from being benefitted by our lies, the actual result of our lying is the loss of a part of our soul. Thankfully, we don’t actually fall over dead each time we tell a lie. But we are diminished. Something in us withers away.
This story reminds us that truth is important. Important in our personal lives. Important in our national life as well. This is especially critical for us to remember as we approach our mid-term elections. We need to choose leaders (from both parties) who will speak truth. For when we choose leaders who follow Ananias and Sapphira, something of the greatness of our nation fades away and dies. When we choose leaders who use alternative facts over truth to promote themselves, or leaders who evade the truth in order to protect themselves, our nation is diminished; its greatness withers away.
Truth is important. Un-truth brings death. For us as individuals. For us as a nation. Just ask Ananias. Just ask Sapphira.
***
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!” Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.
(Acts 4:32-5:11)
from the slow lane 