Yes, this story of Ananias and Sapphira is a tough one, but it should speak volumes to every Christian today. Ananias and Sapphira weren’t ready to serve. They got caught up in the excitement of the times. The new doctrine, the new churches; they saw the healing and the changes, and wanted to be part of it. Yet, their hearts weren’t there. They wanted to dabble with Christianity, so they held back just in case it didn’t work out for them. They knew the deal. Give all for Christ. They said they would, but they didn’t. They lied to God and to Peter and the error destroyed itself. They were in a very hot, rarified spiritual atmosphere in which error was not allowed a foorhold! They should have told the truth and admitted they weren’t ready.
Think of Gideon’s band. The dabblers were not allowed to fight in the battle. Think of the workers in Mrs. Eddy’s home. The dabblers were sent home immediately.
Mrs. Eddy tells us “We are not Christian Scientists until we leave all for Christ.” She further warns us: “It is not wise to take a halting and half-way position or to expect to work equally with Spirit and matter, Truth and error.” We can’t serve two masters! If we try to sit on the fence, with one foot on one side and one on the other, we will get torn in half or fall off. We should not profess that which is not 100% in our hearts. The consequences are not pretty.
Yes, I guess they eventually learned their lesson. But why not learn it here and now? Why not be honest? After all, “Honesty is spiritual power. Dishonesty is human weakness, which forfeits divine help.” Our greatest fear should be to forfeit divine help.