May 6, 2012

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Psalm 42:1

Ananias and his wife Sapphira lacked what we all should strive for–personal integrity and a desire for God that surpasses love for material possessions. Deliberately setting out to deceive Peter and the apostles, this calculating couple pretended devotion to God by lying about their generous financial gift to the church. Their judgment? Their very lives.

Maybe you're thinking you can't relate to this Bible story. You don't lie about your tithe to the church. Maybe you don't try to impress your pastor and elders with the amount you give each month. But do you ever lie to the Holy Spirit? Do you pretend to be devoted to God to impress your family, friends, or church? Hypocrisy is insincere. It's presenting an appearance of commitment that's not true.

Ananias and Sapphira committed a sin unto death (1 John 5:16). The undertakers might be busy in our churches today if we were judged for the motives of our hearts. When you serve the church–teaching, singing, serving in a leadership role–are you putting God to the test? It's risky business to fake spirituality. Make your heart's desire for God and God alone.

It is not the being seen of men that is wrong, but doing these things for the purpose of being seen of men. The problem with the hypocrite is his motivation.

— Augustine