PROMISE
We know the story of Ananias and Sapphira—the husband and wife who were, presumably, a respected couple in the church. They were prominent leaders and possibly active church fundraisers. As part of their efforts to raise money, they planned to sell a piece of their property, and they PROMISED that all the money they got would be given to the church. This was their commitment to support God’s work and mission.
When the property was sold, Ananias—with money in his hands—went to see the apostle Peter. Unfortunately, with the knowledge of his wife, Sapphira, he kept part of the money from the sale at home. In the presence of God’s apostle, Ananias acted as though he were a truthful servant of God and put the money at Peter’s feet. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Peter knew that the man who was standing before him was not being honest. He knew that the money Ananias brought was not the price he got for the land. So Peter asked this question, “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?” (Acts 5:3, NIV). Ananias was surprised to hear such an unexpected interrogation; he was wondering how the apostle knew about his deceitfulness. He knew he was guilty, and he was frightened because he was caught in the act of lying. Peter then said, “You have not lied just to human beings but to God” (verse 4). Lying to or deceiving God involves high risk. In this story, it ended with the death of this couple.
Ananias and Sapphira fell into the sin of deception, of insincerity, and of lying. They sinned against God as well as against the church because their dishonest behavior affected God’s work and the church’s mission. The sin was planned, premeditated, and intentionally done. In modern civil law, if murder is premeditated, the death penalty for the murderer will be carried out. In Bible times, the death penalty was sometimes implemented instantly by God Himself, and in this case it for premeditated lying. Ananias and Sapphira lied to God, and they were judged and punished right away. Ellen White wrote, “To defraud God is the greatest crime of which man can be guilty, and yet this sin is deep and widespread.”—Counsels on Stewardship, p. 86.
In stewardship, returning tithe and giving offerings is obligatory. We are obliged to do both, although there is a difference between the two. Returning one-tenth of our increase, which is God’s tithe, is definite; while for offering, we ourselves determine the percentage we want to give based on our regular income. However, it has been advised that over time, the percentage would gradually increase to be closer to the percentage we return for tithe. Ellen White wrote, “In God’s dealing with . . . His people to the end of time, He requires systematic benevolence proportionate to their income.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 405.
Ananias and Sapphira’s case is similar to our giving offering plan in terms of making a PROMISE. The couple did not fulfill their PROMISE; they lied and received punishment as a result. When we determine the percentage of offerings that we plan to give, it is a PROMISE even though it is purely voluntary. A PROMISE to God that is not fulfilled involves a risk. Therefore, to avoid the risk of failing in fulfilling our PROMISE, let us meet our obligation on returning the tithe and carefully fulfill our PROMISE on giving the offering.
Ellen White wrote that the final results of our offerings are recorded. She wrote, “The recording angel makes a faithful record of every offering dedicated to God and put into the treasury, and also of the final results of the means thus bestowed.”—Counsels on Stewardship, p. 196. What a reminder!
Hiskia Missah
Editor
