Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But 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? 4 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. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
These verses of scripture teach us of the sacredness of our commitments and vows made unto God, for whatsoever we have covenanted to do financially or in service, whether it be a wise, deliberate decision, or whether it be made in haste, is to be considered binding upon us, and in no case must be retracted, if it does not force us to commit sin. As Christians, we sometimes tend to renege on our vows, because of second thoughts, or because of financial constraints that were unforeseen. In the instance given in the passages above, Ananias and his wife had covenanted to sell a piece of land and to return all of the proceeds to the treasury, and this they did simply because at that time in the history of the early church, the spirit of whole-hearted benevolence was in the air, being triggered by the inner working of The Holy Ghost upon many heart, together with the selfless contributions of other believers. Let's read:
Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
However, with Ananias and his wife, the true spirit of charity was not really present, for they had covenanted to give of their store, merely because others were giving, and because it was the popular thing to do. Whenever appeals are made for funds at the church, because of some dire need, it is never a good idea to make vows hastily without due consideration of what can thus be fulfilled. And worst yet, it is a poor policy to give just because others are doing the same, without the donations being from the heart. This will be the equivalent of giving gifts at Christmas time, just because it is expected of us, but not because of any real willingness on our part to bring joy and cheer.
Furthermore, it is a fatal mistake for us to believe that vows which are made hastily will be fulfilled without a protest on the part of satan, for he hates to see our Savior's kingdom built up, and therefore goes about to overthrow the kindly impulses that moved upon us in the first place. Thus, as Ananias and Sapphira thought the matter over and over, they soon began to conclude that a mistake was made in vowing too hastily, and they then decided to straddle both sides of the fence, by appearing to be liberal in their giving in the eyes of other church members, whilst at the same time retaining a portion of the proceeds of the land, for in that way they thought they could kill two birds with one stone, by securing some of the funds for their own use, whilst receiving the approbation of men. Whenever and wherever this takes place, a curse rests upon the culprits, and the dreadful results will revealed sooner or later. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. 4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
[Acts Of The Apostles pp. 74>75] 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, 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.
Let us therefore not fall into the same snare as did Ananias and Sapphira, because our obligations to God should always be held sacred, and whenever we give, it is the will of God that we do so with a willing and cheerful spirit. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms to us this sacred truth, and as we give, let us all remember what Christ did for us on the cross at Calvary. Let's read:
2nd Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!