“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 5:1-2).
This reference is tied to the material in the previous chapter in Acts (cf. Acts 4:32-37). The brethren were selling their possessions and giving the price of them to the apostles so that needs could be met. However, Ananias and Sapphira kept part of the sale of their possession and made it appear that they were giving like all the others. Their shortcut in giving ultimately led to their demise.
There are several “shortcuts” attempted by people to gain valuable things only to find that such does not produce. Consider three.
1. Bible Knowledge. There are people who talk about wanting a great knowledge of the Bible, but they do not want to put in the work that it takes to attain it. Solomon wrote, “If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God” (Prov. 2:4-5). Solomon wrote in another book concerning study, “And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh” (Eccl. 12:12). Paul wrote to Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). Therefore, one can see that gaining Bible knowledge takes work. No one can do another’s studying for them. Personal time with the Bible through an intelligent look at the text brings the benefits.
2. Becoming a Christian. When looking at the religious world’s view of how to become a Christian, there are several “shortcuts” presented. For example, there is the doctrine of “Just accept Christ into your life and pray this prayer.” There is the pressing of the account of the thief on the cross as the clear way to make it to paradise as though baptism has nothing to do with being saved. Nothing can take away from the explicit declaration that Jesus gave to the apostles in the “Great Commission” (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47) and the preaching and practice of the apostles as seen in the book of Acts (cf. Acts 2:37-38). To add to or take from the word of God is to face dire consequences (cf. Rev. 22:18-19).
3. Building Spiritual Character. Paul wrote, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Rom. 5:3-4). Peter described the growth of personal faith in the Christian as adding various virtues with a diligence spirit (cf. 2 Peter 1:5-7). There are various lessons that cannot be learned the easy way. One does not gain patience or endurance without the trial of one’s faith (cf. James 1:3-4). One does not learn obedience without suffering (cf. Heb. 5:8). One does not understand one’s own strengths or weaknesses without testing (cf. Prov. 24:10; Jer. 12:5). One does not learn contentment the easy way (cf. Phil. 4:11-13). There are no “shortcuts” when it comes to having a solid Christian life. Spiritual strength comes through certain weakness (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9-10).
Jimmy Clark