Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds from the field? Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal: Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!” When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. Acts 5:3-5
Imagine that you are a straight “A” student in school and that there is another student that struggles to get even a “C” and most of the time he is even below that level. Would it be fair for your teacher to come and say to you, “I feel sorry for your fellow student who cannot make good grades like you can, so I am going to give him some of your correct answers so he can make a “B.” I am sure you don’t mind making a “B” since you will be helping a fellow student. Your response might be, “No, I study hard for my grades and I deserve an “A” and it is not fair to give a student who does not study some of my answers so he can make a better grade. Giving the other student something he does not deserve is not fair. He deserves the lower grade.”
God is a Holy God. There is nothing but goodness and love in God. He has no evil thoughts. God is perfect in all ways and cannot allow sin or ungodliness in His presence. God is a just God and must punish sin. He is going to give us what we deserve. The penalty for sin is death and separation from God. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be forgiven and made holy so we can come into the presence of God. We deserve death and hell, but as believers we are given eternal life in heaven. The death of Ananias for lying to God may seem a bit extreme as a punishment, but God wanted the people of Israel to understand the seriousness of sin and that sin in the church would destroy the church.
Challenge: Stand up to the temptations of Satan to do things that are not pleasing to God. When you do sin, ask for forgiveness and strive harder to live the life that would bring honor to God. Thank Him that He does not give you what you deserve but that He offers you grace instead.