Our text today is from Acts 5:1–4 (ESV): 5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 

In the early church we see this same scenario repeating itself with greed for additional gain followed by a lie to cover up the gain. Peter even calls out Ananias on it and asks why lie because it was at his disposal to begin with. 

Why do you living in a land of plenty want more? I spent my Saturday on the intercostal looking at yachts so big they had room for helicopters and cars. I found myself thinking about how much it would take to own a boat for my family. Today, I find myself embarrassed by these thoughts wondering why I need one more toy in my life. In a land of plenty, why do I need more? 

Somewhere I am not fully satisfied with what I have. Just like the Israelites who left Egypt and kept grumbling about slavery being better in Egypt than the freedom of the wilderness, I too find myself thinking that other things will bring more fulfillment to my life than my relationship with Christ. It first seems to begin with pride that I believe I am better than I deserve and ends with trying to move monuments and money to support the idea of myself. Owning stuff is not a bad thing. Believing it is owed to me because of my existence is another matter. 

Pastor Aaron