Spiritually Minded 04

Even Christians can be carnally-minded! This week we will continue looking at a few examples of carnally minded Christians. As we do, remember to keep in mind the following statement: EVERY DECISION WE MAKE, EVERY ACTION WE TAKE, EVERY THOUGHT WE THINK, IS INFLUENCED BY EITHER THE SPIRIT OR THE FLESH.

Annanias & Saphira, Acts 5:1-5
1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2With 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.3Then 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? 4Didn’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 to men but to God.”5When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.7About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”9Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”10At 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. 11Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

This took place early in the life of the New Testament church. It was an exciting time when people were getting saved and added daily. Signs and wonders were happening all around them. And it was a time when there was great fellowship and unity in the church. Acts 2:43-45 describes it this way, “43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”

Annanias and Saphira were in the midst of all that was happening. And probably with good intentions, they also sold a piece of property. But after receiving the money, Annanias decided to keep some of it. He could use the cash, and he rationalised that no one knew how much he sold the land for, and therefore, everyone would think, ”What a great sacrifice they’re making—selling a field and giving all the money away!” Saphira envisaged the imminent shopping spree and enthusiastically supported the idea.

But either through a word of knowledge or a good eye for property valuation, Peter saw through the scheme. In the midst of his rebuke, Peter asked a very pointed question, “What made you think of doing such a thing?” The answer, Annanias’ carnal mind.

Attributes of Annanias & Saphira’s carnal minds that we need to guard against:

• Seeking recognition for our good works.
• Sacrificing our integrity for personal gain.
• Rationalising our sin.
• Selfishly getting caught up in other’s sin instead of correcting them.