This morning I read the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. I have always understood this story as an example of God’s desire for us to be full of integrity in our financial dealings, especially with regards to our giving to the church. But this morning I had a new thought on the passage: what if the egregiosity of Ananias and Sapphira’s sin was not simply their blatant dishonesty, but their attempt to look more spiritual and more sacrificial than they actually were?

Ananias and Sapphira exhibited two sins that when coupled together could have created a deadly cancer in the church: dishonesty and pride. They lied to the church (and thus the Holy Spirit) by bringing a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the land and acting as if they brought the whole amount (see Acts 5:7-8). Keeping some of the proceeds for themselves was not the problem. “While it [the land] remained unsold, did it not remain your own? After it was sold, was it not at your disposal?” (Acts 5:4). Keeping some of the proceeds for themselves while acting like they brought all of itin an act of extravagant generosity was.

If the church followed Ananias and Sapphira’s example, they would have become people who were holding back for and benefiting themselves while pridefully projecting an image of sacrificial humility. Church members would have become focused on helping themselves while looking like they were helping others.

It should come as no surprise that God responds with swift justice. Jesus had harsh words for such false humility, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven”(Matt 6:1). He gives specific examples of avoiding such behavior in the context of giving (Matt 6:2-4) and prayer (Matt 6:5-6). Those who give, pray, or serve in secretwill be rewarded by their Father who sees in secret. Those who sound trumpets and project a false veneer of spirituality (like Ananias and Sapphira) will lose their reward, or maybe even their life!

The lesson for us simple: serve, love, give to, worship, pray to God for Him to see, not others. Sure, others will naturally see our good works and give glory to God in heaven (Matt 5:16), but the moment the ‘others’ become our intended audience, we fall into the same trap as Ananias and Sapphira. It can be as simple as wanting others to see how much we give, how much time we spend, how much we work, or how much we sacrifice in service to God. Or worse, making it seem like we are doing more, giving more, sacrificing more than we actually are. We can even begin convincing ourselves that we are someone special and worthy of praise- all while our heart remains divided and uncommitted.

So what’s the cure? Look to Christ and His example, who always did what was pleasing to the Father whether anyone saw it or not. Confess our sinful desire for praise from others and the attendant projection of our own spirituality. Repent of any attempt to promote yourself in the sight of others. Remind ourselves that we are completely forgiven, accepted, and loved by God on the basis of what Christ has done, and that no amount of human praise can compare to what we have in Him.

Because of the gospel, we can live freely- serving, giving, loving, and sacrificing as God leads us, leaving everything else to Him, including who sees what we do. We can freely give, serve, and worship according to our conscience and how we have decided in our heart (2 Cor 9:7) because we are accepted and free in Christ. Ananias and Sapphira missed that. May God keep us from making the same mistake!