The Challenge of Honesty

“You did not lie to us, but to God!”

–Acts 5:4d

In our summer look at desired character traits we turn this week to the matter of honesty.  My pondering of the topic quickly led me to think of one of the most bizarre Biblical stories in the entirety of Scripture.    

The account of Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple, is found in Acts 5:1-11.  Just prior to that story, Luke spoke of how in the early church, members were committed to ensuring that no believer had any financial needs. The resolve was so strong that the gospel writer tells of how the first Christians would sell their land or home and bring the proceeds to leaders of the church for distribution to others. We don’t know how long that standard endured or how widespread it was followed. Yet as an example of his point, Luke speaks of a man named Barnabas selling a field and bringing the money to Peter, the head of the church. The narrative then recalls a husband and wife who choose a different path.

Ananias and Sapphira sell a piece of land and give part of the money, but either inform church leaders or allow them to believe the gift represents the full net proceeds. The text allows for the possibility that Ananias alone made the decision, but Sapphira clearly knows what is happening. Somehow Peter learns of the deception and in confronting Ananias says “You did not lie to us but to God!” Immediately, Ananias collapses and dies. His body is carried out and buried. 

Three hours later, Sapphira enters the room, unaware of what has happened. Peter asks her if the land was sold for the amount the couple gave to the church. “Yes, that was the price” she replies. Peter confronts her with the truth and she, too, dies and is buried beside her husband. After all of those events, Luke ends with these words: “great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.” Such a reaction lives on.  

Years ago, I was leading a men’s Bible study on this passage. As the discussion unfolded one older gentleman said “That’s why I don’t pledge to the church!” While I gently tried to explain how the church understands if circumstances change after someone makes a financial  commitment and how that is a different matter than what Ananias and Sapphira did, he was not to be dissuaded. 

I draw upon those Biblical events this week, though, not as a stewardship message. Rather, while there are all kinds of elements in that account that are unsettling, what is clear is the depiction of two people who were dishonest. Certainly they were not the last humans to respond that way. 

This week, I did an AI search on “truisms about honesty.” Here are the responses. Honesty is the best policy. Honesty builds trust. Honesty promotes a clear conscience. Honesty fosters personal growth.  Honesty is foundational to integrity. I suspect most of us would agree with all of those sentiments, but as we know, in the real world things can get complicated quickly. 

For if telling the truth hurts someone’s feelings, should we still do it?  If speaking honestly puts a friend in a bad light or costs someone their job or has the potential to end a relationship are we still to offer it?  In other words, are we always to tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may? 

A couple of years ago, I purchased a television online. The day it was out for delivery, I received a text message saying it would arrive before 8 p.m. and that someone had to be there to sign for it. I completed my errands early and then waited at home. When late afternoon arrived, the package still had not, but the tracking info said it was on the truck. 8 p.m. came and went. I waited 30 more minutes and then contacted customer service who said I could pick it up at their distribution center the next day or wait at home again. I opted for the former.

The next morning, I arrived before any trucks left, but no one at UPS could find the package. Their records indicated it had been delivered the previous day. I assured them it had not. They concluded it must still be on the truck and that it would be best to return home. 

Shortly after doing so, a car pulled up and a man I had never seen before started walking toward our door. He held out his cell phone and asked, “Is this you?” His screen displayed a photo of a shipping label with my name and address. “Did you order a tv?” he went on. When I answered “yes” to both questions he then told me it had been left at his house the night before. After learning his address–on my street but fifteen houses away—I soon pulled into his driveway. He brought the box outside, and then told the story.

“When I got home last night, it was on my front porch. My first thought was that the last thing I need is another tv and when I took it inside my wife said ‘What did you do?’ I told her it was a mistake and that I would find you today.” He offered to help unload it at our home, too, but I thanked him and declined. Soon the new set was in place. 

Only then, did I stop to think about all the things that had or could have gone wrong. The driver had misread the address and had not gotten a signature. The first was a mistake, but the second was a failure to follow protocol. His electronic notation that the package had been delivered to me could have meant the people at the distribution center would have ignored my explanation. That neighbor could have kept the television and no one would have been the wiser.

He and I never discussed faith in that encounter, but my neighbor was clearly modeling a decision consistent with the Biblical call for honesty. I’m equally certain that if he told that story later to friends at least one of them would have said “You should have kept it or given it to me!” All I know, is that Ananias and Sapphira could have benefited from a neighbor like that, too.

You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Lord. My responses are not always that clear or consistent. So on this day, I simply pray for wisdom in how and when to speak and act with honesty. Amen.