Daily Devotion for February 21, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Acts 5:1-10.

This is a scary passage about a couple in the early church who were each struck dead in connection with their offerings to the church. I will admit having joked a few times about possibly using this passage as our theme for the three-year building fund campaigns. Just think of the money we could have raised by setting a challenging goal, reading this passage, and then saying, “Pledge and give generously so this does not happen to you!”

Obviously, that would have been a gross misuse of this passage. The church in those days expected Christ to return at any moment, so they were selling their property, pooling their assets, and sharing all they had. Ananias and Sapphira may have been frowned upon by their fellow church members if they had admitted keeping some of their sale proceeds for themselves. But instead of being honest about it, they lied and claimed they had given it all. Their deaths came as a consequence of their lying, not because they held back some of the money. This story should remind us that there are consequences for our sins and unfaithfulness.     

Personal Worship Option:

Gracious God, please forgive me for my sins. Sometimes I do what will be viewed well by others instead of what you would have me to do. Help me to follow your teachings, even when doing so is not the popular thing to do and help me to be truthful. Amen.