, 1935-03-01
SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON
Text: Acts 5:1-6; e:1S-24
The international Uniform sun
day School Lesson for March 3
By WIN. Z. GILROY, ID. ID.
Editor of Advance

LuAsuI VI AuNa1CC
The story of Ananias and Sap
phira has takea rather firm hold IN
human interest. 1t Is unfortunately
true that mankind Is wont TO take
a more apparent interest In q great
lar than In a great truth teller.
though l suppose IL Is not quite true
that mankind Is more interested IN
falSehood than IN truth.
People refer TO a great liar today
as an "Ananias." though AnaniaS
was something more than a liar.
The fact is that Ananias Is perhaps
more closely related TO most per-
sons than they realize, because his
deep sin was rot In telling an un-
truth. but in processing TO be some
thing that he was not and 70 be
doing something that he was not
doing.
A wave Of fine social enthusiasm
had swept over these early Chris
tians, destroying distinctions OF
wealth and rank, making those who
were well-to-do ready 70 minister
to the needs OF those who lacked
a sort Of Christian communism, very
noble for those like BarnabaS. who
could enter into 1t earnestly and
sincerely. but difficult for those
whose souls were not purified and
enriched with the spirit OF unselt-
IShneSs.
The tendency in all such Situa-
Ions Is for IDEAS TO become domi-
nant and eXacting in such way
that individuals who have not I'M
dergone the necessary experience
that enables them to respond nat
urally and sincerely are. neverthe-
less. too weak TO express their dis
sent.
SO they profess to live according
to the ideals while the reality Of
their lives is very different.
Thus 1t was that Ananias and
Sapphire. his wife, possessing prop
e.ty, did not say, as they might
have said. I'VE are not willing 70
1--WE all this as others are giving"
Instead. they ~profeSsed TO be CIV
ing it all, but they actually kept
back part OF the price.
They came laying their gifts al
the apostles feet, processing 70
yield their all, where they were
withholding much for themselves.
The condemnation in our lesson
was not because they did not give
II up, but because, as Peter said 70
them, they had lied 10 the Holy
Spirit. The property was theirs:
while they had it. IL was in their
power. But when they profeSSed 70
give II TO purposes OF the church
and kept 1t for themselves, II be-
came a different matter.
The unholy use Of holy things
Is further illustrated in the story
Of Peter and Simon Magus-a man
Who was not a saint az heart, but a
magician who desired TO have the
power that he saw the apostles ex-
/ ercising, and who imagined that !;
could be bought with money.
The sin OF this Simon the
magician was the sin Of those who
trv to commercialize religion, who
take the holy things that ought
to be above all Self-interest and
profit and turn them TO their own
base ends.
Against all such AnaniaSes and
Sapphiras and Simons. one must
set the beauty and integrity OF
Christian character and action, the
beauty OF supreme and self-Sac-
Y rificing devotion The height and
| glory OF the Christian witness must
never be compromised by regard for
those who fail TO live up 70 their
| profession.
II Is not BY the failure Of men,
by their weaknesses and hypoc-
risies. that We should judge the
truth and the Christian ideal, but
bv the triumphant living Of those
who measure up to the supreme test