The Right Direction - Ananias

There was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.

Acts 5:1-2

Phil was an outstanding youth leader at his church, but he had a lousy sense of direction. One weekend, he headed a caravan of teenagers to a youth conference in St. Helens, Oregon, about twenty-five miles west of Portland. By the time he realized he had taken a wrong turn, he and his charges found themselves in Hood River, a lovely Columbia River Gorge community about sixty miles east of Portland.

Part of what makes someone a good leader is his ability to persuade people to follow. That’s why it’s important that you lead the people God has placed in your life in the right direction.

Ananias, whose sad story appears in Acts 5, was apparently a strong leader at home. Unfortunately, he took his family in a horribly wrong direction and paid a heavy price for it.

Ananias was among the first-generation believers in Jerusalem, many of whom sold their property, pooled their resources, and generously cared for those in need. Ananias sold his property, but instead of bringing all the money to the apostles, he kept some of it for himself.

The apostle Peter pointed out that Ananias had done nothing wrong in keeping some of his own money (see Acts 5:4). Where he failed terribly was in telling the apostles that he had given all of it.

All of this happened with his wife’s full cooperation.

As the head of his house, Ananias was responsible for leading his wife, Sapphira, and his children, if he had any, with honesty and integrity. In his vain desire for human praise, he led his wife down a deadly road of deception.

Look at the story of Ananias and ask yourself, Where am I leading my family?

Your family will very likely follow wherever you lead them. One of the greatest rewards for leading your wife and children in the right direction is seeing them grow in character and integrity.