January 6 - Great Fear.

Acts 5:11
“And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.”
 
Barnabas, among others, sold his land then brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet for it to be used for the ministry. 
 
Ananias and Sapphira saw how Barnabas was received of the disciples, and must have wanted the same reception, so they too sold a possession. 
 
Acts 5:1-2
“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.”
 
However, they chose to keep back part of the price. 
 
They brought a certain part of the money and laid it at the feet of the apostles expecting to receive the same reward. 
 
Peter discerned right away that there was a different motive behind the couple’s gift.
 
Acts 5:3-4
“But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”
 
Our motives will always come through eventually.
 
Ananias fell down and died immediately after Peter rebuked him. This caused great fear to come upon all that heard of what had occurred. 
 
Sapphira was then given an opportunity to confess what they had done, and she chose to lie again. She too fell down and died immediately after she made her choice.
 
What has to happen to cause us to fear the Lord? 
 
God may use us as an example to cause great fear to come upon those around us if we continue to choose our own motives over Him.
 
Our actions have consequences.
Choose to obey Him today. 
 
 
Bible Reading:
Genesis 11-12    |     John 6