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From Trials to Triumph - Contents
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    Chapter 7—A Dishonest Husband and Wife Punished

    This chapter is based on Acts 4:32 to 5:11.

    As the disciples proclaimed the gospel, a multitude believed. Many of these early believers were immediately cut off from family and friends, and it was necessary to provide them with food and shelter.TT 38.1

    Those among the believers who had money and possessions cheerfully sacrificed to meet the emergency. Selling their houses or lands, they brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Their love for their brethren and the cause they had espoused was greater than their love of money and possessions. They accounted souls of higher value than earthly wealth.TT 38.2

    In sharp contrast was the conduct of Ananias and Sapphira. These professed disciples had heard the gospel preached by the apostles. They had been present when “the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” Acts 4:31. Under the direct influence of the Spirit of God, Ananias and Sapphira had made a pledge to give to the Lord the proceeds from the sale of a certain property.TT 38.3

    Afterward, they began to regret their promise and yielded to feelings of covetousness. They thought they had been too hasty and decided not to fulfill their pledge. Ashamed to have their brethren know that their selfish souls grudged that which they had solemnly dedicated to God, they deliberately decided to sell their property and pretend to give all into the general fund, but to keep a large share for themselves. Thus they would secure their living from the common store and at the same time gain the esteem of their brethren. But God notes hypocrisy and falsehood. Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit, and their sin was visited with swift judgment. When Ananias came with his offering, Peter said: “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”TT 38.4

    “Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.”TT 39.1

    No undue influence had been brought to bear on Ananias to compel him to sacrifice his possessions. He had acted from choice. But in attempting to deceive the disciples, he had lied to the Almighty.TT 39.2

    “After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.’ And she said, ‘Yes, for so much.’ But Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Hark, the feet of those that 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, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things.” RSV.TT 39.3

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