To Whom Much is Given, Much is Expected

 

One of the more shocking stories in the New Testament is about the deaths of Ananias and his wife, Sapphira as told in Acts 5:1-11. The couple lied to the Apostles, and God, about the money they were giving. They claimed to be giving all proceeds from the sale of their property but they kept some back for themselves. For this act both of them were struck dead after being confronted with their misdeed. They did not even give any defense of their action that is recorded.

Now contrast this with what happens to a man called Simon who was a person performing amazing abilities in Samaria as depicted in Acts 8:4-25. Many Bible translations say that Simon was a sorcerer but the Greek word here seems to indicate more someone who is impressing his audience with greater knowledge and technology rather than someone dealing in the occult.

Be that as it may, Simon believed in Jesus but had not received the Holy Spirit. When Peter and John arrived (v14) and started laying hands on people, Simon saw the wondrous workings of the Holy Spirit he offered the Apostles money to receive that power. Peter rebuked him angrily threatening Simon’s destruction for what he wanted to do. Simon begged Peter to pray to God for him so he would not die due to this and there is no record of his death.

Is it not interesting that Ananias and Saphira would be dealt with more severely for a seemingly smaller offense? After all, Simon wanted to use God’s power to make himself rich? In doing so, he would be showing God to be one who could be bought and used for people’s whims.

This action was not coming from some heathen. In Acts 8:13 it states “Then Simon himself believed and was baptized.” Interestingly, the Bible also states this baptism did not bring the Holy Spirit to those who believed (v16). It was not until Peter and John laid hands on the people that they were filled with the Spirit. This is what Simon wanted for himself. But we cannot forget that he tried to buy God as a believer which is what brought the stinging rebuke from Peter.

So what makes Ananias and Saphira different from Simon? God, after all, is the perfect judge. What Simon wanted to do seems far more grievous than what Ananias and Saphira did. The Bible is not clear but one can surmise the couple knew more than Simon did and, thus, were expected to behave differently. The impression is Simon was a very new believer and was still a “baby” in the faith. As such, he was not judged as harshly by God.

However, Ananias and Saphira were likely responsible for much more knowledge. It would not be surprising if they had been with Jesus during his ministry and two of the 120 in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. If this is true, then their intimate knowledge of Jesus would make them more immediately responsible for their actions. They not only knew the truth but, seemingly, opened their hearts to it. At some point, though, their hearts hardened to the point they lied to God and it cost them their lives.

As Jesus states in Luke 12:48: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” (NASB)

God judged Ananias and Saphira severely for He, seemingly, expected far more from them than Simon. We need to keep this in mind as we pursue God more. The more we pursue Him the more insight we gain  (Jeremiah 29:12-14a). At the same time, God expects more of us. If we turn our backs on Him after learning more about Him, we should not expect Him to accept a quick apology like Simon gave in Acts 8:24. No, we would need to humble ourselves to the degree David did after his affair with Bathsheba and murdering Uriah (see 2 Samuel 12:13-23 and Psalm 51).

Choose wisely.