We are not to say or do anything that would unnecessarily close up our way。
We are to go forward in Christ's name； advocating the truths committed to
us。 If we are forbidden by men to do this work； then we may say； as did the
apostles； 〃Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more
than unto God； judge ye。 For we cannot but speak the things which we have
seen and heard。〃
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Chapter 7
A Warning Against Hypocrisy
As The disciples proclaimed the truths of the gospel in Jerusalem； God bore
witness to their word； and a multitude believed。 Many of these early
believers were immediately cut off from family and friends by the zealous
bigotry of the Jews； and it was necessary to provide them with food and
shelter。
The record declares； 〃Neither was there any among them that lacked；〃 and it
tells how the need was filled。 Those among the believers who had money and
possessions cheerfully sacrificed them to meet the emergency。 Selling their
houses or their lands； they brought the money and laid it at the apostles'
feet； 〃and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need。〃
This liberality on the part of the believers was the result of the
outpouring of the Spirit。 The converts to the gospel were 〃of one heart and
of one soul。〃 One common interest controlled themthe success of the
mission entrusted to
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them； and covetousness had no place in their lives。 Their love for their
brethren and the cause they had espoused； was greater than their love of
money and possessions。 Their works testified that they accounted the souls
of men of higher value them earthly wealth。
Thus it will ever be when the Spirit of God takes possession of the life。
Those whose hearts are filled with the love of Christ； will follow the
example of Him who for our sake became poor； that through His poverty we
might be made rich。 Money； time； influenceall the gifts they have received
from God's hand； they will value only as a means of advancing the work of
the gospel。 Thus it was in the early church； and when in the church of today
it is seen that by the power of the Spirit the members have taken their
affections from the things of the world； and that they are willing to make
sacrifices in order that their fellow men may hear the gospel； the truths
proclaimed will have a powerful influence upon the hearers。
In sharp contrast to the example of benevolence shown by the believers； was
the conduct of Ananias and Sapphira； whose experience； traced by the pen of
Inspiration； has left a dark stain upon the history of the early church。
With others； these professed disciples had shared the privilege of hearing
the gospel preached by the apostles。 They had been present with other
believers when； after the apostles had prayed； 〃the place was shaken where
they were assembled together； and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost。〃
Acts 4：31。 Deep conviction had rested upon all present； and under the direct
influence of the Spirit of God；
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Ananias and Sapphira had made a pledge to give to the Lord the proceeds from
the sale of certain property。
Afterward； Ananias and Sapphira grieved the Holy Spirit by yielding to
feelings of covetousness。 They began to regret their promise and soon lost
the sweet influence of the blessing that had warmed their hearts with a
desire to do large things in behalf of the cause of Christ。 They thought
they had been too hasty； that they ought to reconsider their decision。 They
talked the matter over； and decided not to fulfill their pledge。 They saw；
however； that those who parted with their possessions to supply the needs of
their poorer brethren； were held in high esteem among the believers； and
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 the proceeds into the general fund；
but really to keep a large share for themselves。 Thus they would secure
their living from the common store and at the same time gain the high esteem
of their brethren。
But God hates hypocrisy and falsehood。 Ananias and Sapphira practiced fraud
in their dealing with God； they lied to the Holy Spirit； and their sin was
visited with swift and terrible 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。〃
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〃Ananias hearing these words fell down； and gave up the ghost： and great
fear came on all them that heard these things。〃
〃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
pla