Almost like a parent knows when their toddler is lying, God even more so knows when we are not fully honest with Him or if we are hiding something. He wants all of us, He doesn’t want us to hold anything back. He knows the consequences that come from withholding from Him. In this passage Ananias’ consequence was death. Yesterday we talked about not having a tight grip on our money or possessions and later in the week we will talk about keeping everything in the light. Our heavenly Father is a good father and He teaches us these things because He loves us. Is there an area of your life you are withholding from God? Just recently there was an area in my life that I had a death grip on. I was not, under any circumstances, going to give it to God. Until one day I became so broken over this sinful area in my life I had no other choice. God, in all of His glory and graciousness, gave me the strength to give it to him and hold my hand through the healing and restoration process. Looking back, I wish I would have done it sooner. God was waiting! He was ready. He wants all of me and He wants all of you!
"Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened."
Acts 5:1-5