“A thing worth having is a thing worth cheating for.”
W.C. Fields
The American comedian, W.C. Fields, quipped this over a hundred years ago, yet it still resonates with current sensibilities. The world informs us that if it feels good, do it. Riches. Fame. For some, these are the ultimate goals of life and if one needs to cheat to obtain it, why not? But what is the most important thing that is worth having? A family? A home? What about the salvation of our souls? The Bible bluntly records this exchange between the Apostle Peter and two alleged followers of Jesus Christ.
But 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. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him.
Acts 5:1-6 (NLT)
As if that were not enough, when Sapphira arrived three hours later, she was unaware of what happened to her husband, but would soon join him.
About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.” And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.” Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
Acts 5:7-11 (NLT)
Is it worth it? Many, like the tragic examples of Ananias and Sapphira, have tried to cheat and lie their way into heaven. It does not have to be this way. Salvation is worth having and this is why Jesus paid the penalty for our sins because we could never achieve this by our own actions. No lying. No cheating. Salvation is offered as a free gift to all who confess and repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
It is definitely worth it!
Praise God for His grace and mercy to all of us.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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