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〃Whiles it remained； was it not thine own？〃 Peter asked。 No undue influence
had been brought to bear upon Ananias to compel him to sacrifice his
possessions to the general good。 He had acted from choice。 But in attempting
to deceive the disciples； he had lied to the Almighty。
〃It was about the space of three hours after； when his wife； not knowing
what was done； came in。 And Peter answered unto her； Tell me whether ye sold
the land for so much？ And she said； Yea； for so much。 Then Peter said unto
her； How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord？
behold； the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door； and
shall carry thee out。 Then fell she down straightway at his feet； and
yielded up the ghost： and the young men came in； and found her dead； and；
carrying her forth； buried her by her husband。 And great fear came upon all
the church； and upon as many as heard these things。〃
Infinite Wisdom saw that this signal manifestation of the wrath of God was
necessary to guard the young church from becoming demoralized。 Their numbers
were rapidly increasing。 The church would have been endangered if； in the
rapid increase of converts； men and women had been added who； while
professing to serve God； were worshiping mammon。 This judgment testified
that men cannot deceive God； that He detects the hidden sin of the heart；
and that He will not be mocked。 It was designed as a warning to
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the church； to lead them to avoid pretense and hypocrisy； and to beware of
robbing God。
Not to the early church only； but to all future generations； this example of
God's hatred of covetousness； fraud； and hypocrisy； was given as a
danger…signal。 It was covetousness that Ananias and Sapphira had first
cherished。 The desire to retain for themselves a part of that which they had
promised to the Lord； led them into fraud and hypocrisy。
God has made the proclamation of the gospel dependent upon the labors and
the gifts of His people。 Voluntary offerings and the tithe constitute the
revenue of the Lord's work。 Of the means entrusted to man； God claims a
certain portion；the tenth。 He leaves all free to say whether or not they
will give more than this。 But when the heart is stirred by the influence of
the Holy Spirit； and a vow is made to give a certain amount； the one who
vows has no longer any right to the consecrated portion。 Promises of this
kind made to men would be looked upon as binding； are those not more binding
that are made to God？ Are promises tried in the court of conscience less
binding than written agreements of men？
When divine light is shining into the heart with unusual clearness and
power； habitual selfishness relaxes its grasp and there is a disposition to
give to the cause of God。 But none need think that they will be allowed to
fulfill the promises then made； without a protest on the part of Satan。 He
is not pleased to see the Redeemer's kingdom on earth built up。 He suggests
that the pledge made was too much；
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that it may cripple them in their efforts to acquire property or gratify the
desires of their families。
It is God who blesses men with property； and He does this that they may be
able to give toward the advancement of His cause。 He sends the sunshine and
the rain。 He causes vegetation to flourish。 He gives health and the ability
to acquire means。 All our blessings come from His bountiful hand。 In turn；
He would have men and women show their gratitude by returning Him a portion
in tithes and offeringsin thank offerings； in freewill offerings； in
trespass offerings。 Should means flow into the treasury in accordance with
this divinely appointed plan；a tenth of all the increase； and liberal
offerings；there would be an abundance for the advancement of the Lord's
work。
But the hearts of men become hardened through selfishness； and； like Ananias
and Sapphira； they are tempted to withhold part of the price； while
pretending to fulfill God's requirements。 Many spend money lavishly in
self…gratification。 Men and women consult their pleasure and gratify their
taste； while they bring to God； almost unwillingly； a stinted offering。 They
forget that God will one day demand a strict account of how His goods have
been used； and that He will no more accept the pittance they hand into the
treasury than He accepted the offering of Ananias and Sapphira。
From the stern punishment meted out to those perjurers； God would have us
learn also how deep is His hatred and contempt for all hypocrisy and
deception。 In pretending
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that they had given all； Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit； and；
as a result； they lost this life and the life that is to come。 The same God
who punished them； today condemns all falsehood。 Lying lips are an
abomination to Him。 He declares that into the Holy City 〃there shall in no
wise enter 。 。 。 anything that defileth； neither whatsoever worketh
abomination； or maketh a lie。〃 Revelation 21：27。 Let truth telling be held
with no loose hand or uncertain grasp。 Let it become a part of the life。
Playing fast and loose with truth； and dissembling to suit one's own selfish
plans； means shipwreck of faith。 〃Stand therefore； having your loins girt
about with truth。〃 Ephesians 6：14。 He who utters untruths sells his soul in
a cheap market。 His falsehoods may seem to serve in emergencies； he may thus
seem to make business advancement that he could not gain by fair dealing；
but he finally reaches the place where he can trust no one。 Himself a
falsifier； he has no confidence in the word of others。
In the case of Ananias and Sapphira； the sin of fraud against God was
speedily punished。 The same sin was often repeated in the after history of
the church and is committed by many in our time。 But though it may not be
attended by the visible manifestation of God's displeasure； it is no less
heinous in His sight now than in the apostles' time。 The warning has been
given； God has clearly manifested His abhorrence of this sin； and all who
give themselves up to hypocrisy and covetousness may be sure that they are
destroying their own souls。
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Chapter 8
Before the Sanhedrin
It was the cross； that instrument of shame and torture； which brought hope
and salvation to the world。 The disciples were but humble men； without
wealth； and with no weapon but the word of God； yet in Christ's strength
they went forth to tell the wonderful story of the manger and the cross； and
to triumph over all opposition。 Without earthly honor or recognition； they
were heroes of faith。 From their lips came words of divine eloquence that
shook the world。
In Jerusalem； where the deepest prejudice existed； and where the most
confused ideas prevailed in regard to Him who had been crucified as a
malefactor； the disciples continued to speak with boldness the words of
life； setting before the Jews the work and mission of Christ； His
crucifixion； resurrection； and ascension。 Priests and rulers he