The physician Luke wrote how “a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession”, and in chapter five and verse two of the book of Acts Luke shared how “Ananias and Sapphira”, “kept back part of the price” where we read:
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.
The verse begins, “And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, ...”. Luke began with the words, “and kept back part of the price” which means “and set apart and separate a portion of the value received from the sale”, “his wife also being privy to it” which means “his, Ananias', female spouse even so and indeed understanding, perceiving and comprehending the idea of separating part of the money received”. Luke shared how “Ananias and Sapphira” conspired to “retain for themselves part” of the money they received for selling their land.
The verse continues, “... and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” Luke added the words, “and brought a certain part” which means “and carried forward and bore a portion of the money”, “and laid it at the apostles feet” or “and placed, put and set the money at the physical feet of Jesus' delegates, messengers and ones sent forth”. Luke shared how “Ananias and Sapphira” “brought” a portion of the money they received for their property and “laid the money” at the “feet” of Jesus' “apostles”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Ananias and Sapphira” took only a portion of money they received for their property and presented it to Jesus' “apostles”. This “deceptive act” conspired by “Ananias and Sapphira” was to be exposed by Peter in our next verse, and we shall learn how the “Holy Spirit” gave Peter the wisdom and knowledge to know what they had done. God knows everything, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die for the sins of everybody. Although people may think they are hiding things from Him, He sees and knows. Those who are wise will yield themselves to Jesus open by being open and honest with Him because there are no secrets with God.
Next time Luke shares how Peter asked Ananias, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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