Running Out Of Oil

Acts 5:1-16

All the church in Jerusalem was filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:32 describes their attitude. “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” Various individuals, including Barnabas, voluntarily sold property and gave the proceeds to the church, to make sure everyone had what they needed. Many groups have tried to attain that standard again, and it is the socialist ideal, yet it always fails.

We find that right in the middle of this ideal situation, a problem develops. It is the same problem that has caused the failure of every socialist endeavor. We find it causing trouble again later in the church as well.

“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles' feet.” (Acts 5:1-2)

How can this be if the Holy Spirit produces such an attitude of love and concern for each other? Olive oil was used for a lot of things , including cooking, medicine, fuel for lamps, and various ointments. In the tabernacle, and later in the Temple, it was used to represent the Holy Spirit, in anointing the priests, and as fuel for the golden candlestick now known as the Menorah.

The lamps, or liquid candles of the candlestick had to refilled every day, but they were never to be allowed to go out. If they waited too long before refilling them the level of oil would drop so low the lights would go out. It is a very clear picture of the Christian. As long as he is filled with the Holy Spirit, he is a light to the world, but if the level drops below a certain threshold, the light goes out. Just before the lamp runs out of oil, the wick begins to burn, producing a lot of smoke and soot, but a shrinking amount of light. The smoke and soot indicates a dangerous level of carbon monoxide, endangering those around in and enclosed area. Please understand that even when the light goes out there is some oil, just not enough to maintain the flame.

The entire church had been filled with the Holy Spirit, but some of the people did not bother to refill. The change in Ananias and Sapphira’s attitude indicates the lack of spiritual filling. Instead of being concerned about others, they begin to focus on themselves.

“But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” (Acts 5:3-4)

The problem was not that they didn’t give all the money. As Peter pointed out, the land was theirs, and they had the right to do whatever they wanted to with it. They also had the right to use the money however they wanted to. The problem was that they wanted to be known for having given everything to the church while they held back part for themselves, to get the same recognition that others got for giving everything.

Many years ago, I knew a man who would flash a large bill before putting it in the plate, but at the end of the row, there’d only be a one. It was a smaller version of the Ananias’ and Sapphira’s sin, a deliberate effort to deceive people into thinking he was doing more than he did. How often are the numbers of souls saved inflated by “evangelists” or missionaries to gain more recognition and money, or people ask that the value of donations deliberately inflated to get a tax break?

“And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.” (Acts 5:5-6)

God dealt with Ananias’ sin rather severely. It seems almost overdone until you realize he was making a mockery of both God, and everyone who willingly gave what they had. Had he gotten by with it, he would have been sharing everyone else’s bounty while hiding his own, actually robbing the church by pretending needs he didn’t have.

“And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.” (Acts 5:7-8)

Because he was filled with the Spirit, the Holy Spirit was able to alert Peter to Ananias deception right away. He also caused him to check if Sapphira was involved. Many teach today that if a husband leads his wife to do wrong, she will be innocent for going along with it. God punished Sapphira just like he did Ananias. She could nor avoid her responsibility by claiming her husband told her to.

“Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.” (Acts 5:9-10)

It came as a shock to the church to have two of their members killed so openly for what seemed so insignificant. Suddenly, being a member of the church was not something to be treated lightly. How many times are we told we are to fear god, not in the sense of being afraid of him but in the sense of fearing the consequences of sin. Suddenly, God was not just a figurehead, he was a real power.

“And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” (Acts 5:11)

That respectful fear for God had a great impact on the Church. The Apostles experienced far greater power in witnessing, there was a far greater unity than before, and people stopped trying gain power or take the apostles places. Suddenly the focus is on who God has chosen. There were no more Korahs(Numbers 16) wanting to take over the church and run it to please themselves. It also impacted the unsaved around them.

“And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.” (Acts 5:12-16)

Socialism tries to force people to share, ignoring their selfish nature. Capitalism capitalizes on that selfishness, so it works better for a while. In both systems, someone eventually gains control and begins to use it selfishly. Some Americans tend to view capitalism as God’s preordained plan, while others embrace socialism the same way. They try to run their churches accordingly.

The church will only function as God intended when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill each member and change their attitudes. You can’t attain spiritual results through earthly methods. Sin is rampant in the modern church because there are so few spiritually filled Christians. Acts allows us to see what is missing. The lamps aren’t giving much light because they are out of oil.