Lesson Thirty Three

BROKEN PROMISES

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Memory Verse: Proverbs 13:5
Further Study: Acts 4:34-5:11; Acts of the Apostles, pp. 71-76; The Bible Story, vol. 10, pp. 26-30

Early in our marriage my husband and I attended a church social. One of the “games” was a version of “The Newlywed Game.” For those unfamiliar with this television game show, newly married couples were brought separately in front of an audience. First the husbands were asked questions and their answers written on large cards. Then the wives came to sit beside their husbands and asked the same questions. The idea was that whichever couple gave the most correct answers—matching what their spouse said—won.

I don’t remember many details, but I remember this: Prior to playing this church game he and I agreed on a few things, one of which was if they asked a question requiring a number for an answer, we’d say 6. My husband went first. One question was: “How many inches of dust is under the bed?” When I came out, and heard the same question, I knew what we had agreed on, but thought, Yikes! What will people think? But I said 6 as we agreed. Everyone was amazed (and we were a bit embarrassed) when we matched! 

A more serious match happened in the story of Ananias and Sapphira. He came in with money received from selling land, but he had held some of the money back. He turned it in as if all the money was given to God when, in fact, it wasn’t. There were dire consequences to his lie. When his wife arrived several hours later, she was asked a question. She had the opportunity to answer for herself, but she decided to match her husband as they agreed. The choice ended in her death. 

The choice ended in her death. 

My husband is a Bible scholar and one of the foremost experts in Ellen G. White’s writings. I must admit that it’s easy for me to simply ride on his coattails. If I have a question about Scripture, I ask him. If I can’t find something in Mrs. White’s writings, he’s a willing assistant. I feel privileged to have such a resource living with me. But the story of Sapphira is a serious reminder that we stand on our own before God. We need to do our own Bible study. We need to discover spiritual guidance from Mrs. White’s writings on our own. When it comes to the judgment, we stand on our own in relationship to God.

We stand on our own in relationship to God.

We all have busy lives with work, children, meals, laundry, and more. These things can eat up all our time keeping us from the Bible or other devotional reading. While the story of Ananias and Sapphira is somewhat shocking and solemn, we, too, will stand one day before God. Let us prepare for that day so that when we see Jesus we are ready and renewed.

Digging Deeper 

The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira were quick and sudden. Even after reading and knowing the story previously, it always seems to come as a shock as well as deliver a message. God condemns sinners, in this case those who have lied and profaned the temple by withholding part of their gift. But there are echoes of this same judgment in the Old Testament. Consider these stories. Maybe spend some time this week reading them again:

Genesis 3: Adam and Eve

Leviticus 10: Nadab and Abihu

Joshua 7: Achan

2 Samuel 6: Uzzah

2 Kings 5: Gehazi

Luke 22: Judas

Making it Real

We tend to concentrate on God as loving, kind, and our best Friend. And He is. But sometimes, like in this story, we come face to face with the God of judgment. Explore that this week. How does it make you feel?

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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.