Endeavoring Women of the Bible: Sapphira
As I have been going through the New Testament, I have looked at a lot of women mentioned. Some larger, and some smaller accounts. And most of them have been pretty encouraging and great examples. And as I’ve mentioned before, I bring this blog to create positive content to the world. However, the reality is that there are people we can learn to be like… but there are also people who to avoid being like. This week we are taking a look at a woman’s story who didn’t exactly take the right steps. Let’s take a look!
SAPPHIRA
Location: Jerusalem
Context: Jesus is telling parables and teaching in the temple courts
Passage: aCTS 5:1-11
Alright, as we look at Sapphira’s story I want to set the scene. This was after Christ’s death. and a little while after Pentacost. So the church is thriving and growing. Peter has been performing miracles and the apostles are going around sharing the news of salvation through Christ. Although it can be difficult to picture, the community between believers was so close knit. We see this described in chapter 4 verse 32:
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.”
So we see that they are in this active and sincere community. They are doing significant ministry and working together. We see some more of the “details” of this lifestyle in the next few verses: "
And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
If you are like me, this may sound a little weird. Sharing everything?! I can barely share the remote with my husband! And, as you may know, I studied business and this sounded like socialism to me, which in theory would be great … but as you learn as you study more about economics, unfortunately in our fallen world - it doesn’t. But I think the key phrase here is that “God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all”. Here’s the thing guys. This was at a time that people were so in tune with the Holy Spirit, and it was this unique community. And so, they were so incredibly doing ministry and life together, that they shared everything.
And so keep this all in mind as we meet Sapphira.
So we technically meet her, and her husband, in chapter 5 so let’s jump right in in verse 1:
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Here note: they are doing something wrong by not being truthful and hiding and keeping some of their property to themselves. Remember as we mentioned that everyone was sharing and giving their all for putting forward the gospel). And the other thing to note is that both Ananias and Sapphira are in on it. So we continue on in verse 3:
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
Like, okayyyy. Right?! I get why they were scared! So we see here Ananias dying immediately after his lie was found out. So a three things here. First, I feel like there is gray area here because we see Peter specifically ask Sapphira later in the story how much the land was worth, but it doesn’t describe any conversation going on here. But by the consequences I think it is safe to say that the heart of the sin here was in the fact that Ananias and Sapphira are trying to hide something from God and ultimately from God’s people. The second thing here is that it doesn’t necessarily really say how Peter knew. This was just something that bothered me (I get so caught up in the details sometimes!) but I can probably guess how: as they were so closely walking with the Holy Spirit- that the Spirit gave him discernment. The third thing here that I wanted to point out is that it says that Satan filled his heart. I think this is a good reminder that even though Christ had come and redeemed us… believers were not immune to Satan’s temptations.
Okay, so we see Ananias die, and bite the dust. Intense. But let’s continue on:
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
So in those “gray areas” for Ananias, we don’t see that in Sapphira’s situation. Peter specifically asks her what she paid and she lies to Peter. What are the consequences for her? Let’s read on:
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Okay, again an intense ending! So Sapphira isn’t mentioned again after this passage, but we do see the apostles going to heal many and the church continuing to expand even in persecution.
I think we can learn from Sapphira’s life a few significant lessons:
“Little Sins”
Okay, so the first lesson I would say is about our sin. In this chapter, we see Ananias and Sapphira significantly punished for their sins (by death!) and this seems a bit extreme right?! Why did God choose to kill them in this story rather than punishing otherwise like in other stories? Unfortunately I don’t have the answer for you. But I think this story shows that even the “little sins” that we don’t think God will see do have consequences. God does not condone lying, especially when it comes to lying to him and about your relationship with him. And here, Sapphira went along with her husband’s plan. It can be easy to think things “aren’t that big of a deal”, but as we have talked about before… God sees our hearts. He knows our motives. Even those things we don’t think anyone knows about.. God sees.
God of justice
This is a small side one, but one note is that this story is a reminder that God is a God who doesn’t put up with sin. Some people say that it was almost a “different God” in the Old Testament compared to the New Testament. That God used to be a God of justice, and now he is a God of Love. But here is the thing. He has always been both. God is so full of love and so full of grace he sent his son to die for us. Jesus fulfilled the laws of the Old Testament. However, God still is a God who cannot be around sin. Ananias and Sapphira show us that God still is very serious about our sins and about our hearts.
Temptation
I look at Sapphira’s story and feel like even though it seems extreme, it may be more familiar than you think. Think about it, Sapphira was surrounded by Christians at that time. They were a well connected church in intimate community, sharing everything! Still, she was tempted and with her husband sinned. Peter even asks her husband, “Why did you let Satan rule your thinking?!”. The reality is that, because we live in a broken world, sin does exist and as Christians we still face temptations. Even though she was part of a church, and even though she had married a believer… she still fell prey to temptation because she wasn’t checking her own heart. I take her story as a challenge, are you living a life like Christ? Even in Christian surroundings we still need to have the armor of God on. Staying in his word and seeking his will.
Owning your actions
Another small thing I wanted to note was as a wife, Sapphira went along with her husband’s actions. We don’t know who came up with this idea, who decided on it. At that time, Ananias would have been the one actually handing over the gift as the male and the head of the household. But here is the thing, when asked about it - Sapphira literally lies to Peter’s face. We need to learn to own our actions. I think this is where Sapphira really failed. Her sin was one thing, but to then hide I believe really showed her true colors. When you sin, or if you are part of sin… own up to it. And here is also the thing - if your husband or significant other is participating in sin, just because they may be the head of the household doesn’t mean that you should approve and go along with their sin. Although difficult, God holds us to a higher standard and will judge each of us. As he does in this story!
God Knows your heart
I will talk a bit more about this in future women’s stories, but here is the final thing: God knows your heart. He knew Sapphira’s heart! I believe it isn’t just the action of withholding something from God. I don’t really know why they decided to hold it back. Maybe they thought they could use it for the kingdom. But here is the thing. God knew why they did what they did. And ultimately, Sapphira lied and tried to hide something from the church. I’m sure they knew God would obviously know what they are doing, but this showed a neglect for God’s sovereignty and a thought that God wouldn’t judge the heart. I think God was disappointed in their actions, but I believe he was even more dissapointed in their lack of love and honesty for him. Some people feel intimated by this idea that God knows your every thought, but I think it is one of the most beautiful things. Even when you feel like “no one understands what you’re going through” … God literally does. Guys, that was revolutionary for me. God knows your heart and how you feel. Be encouraged that God knows your heart and loves you deeply. He sent his son to provide grace and salvation. But he also wants to have a pure and honest heart for him. I hope we can find comfort and challenge from Sapphira’s story.
If I had to pick a word for Sapphira’s story I would say honesty. Now obviously, she did not do this well, but her story I believe emphasizes the importance of honesty. Being honest with God. And being honest with ourselves. I think we can convince ourselves our sin isn’t “that bad” or that God doesn’t really care. But here is the thing. God knows us. God does care. I hope this week you can be challenged to analyze your heart and your intentions. Is there sin that you have kind of let slide? Maybe there is something that you have been able to hide to the rest of the world, but you know God sees. Please know that God loves you. “How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11). He loves you and wants to care for you! Seek honesty this week and I’ll be praying for your endeavors.
Lord, I pray for the endeavorers listening this week. Lord if there is sin taking root in their lives, or if Satan has tempted them please give them strength. We repent of when we have not been honest or even when we have tried to hid something from the world and ultimately you. Thank you that you offer us freedom and forgiveness. How amazing. We praise you for that. I pray that the endeavorers this week can go forward empowered by your Holy Spirit-honest with themselves to serve whole heartedly for you.
sources:
Life Application Study Bible - NIV. Zondervan, 1997.
