Scamanias and Scamphira – Acts 5:1-11

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:32-37)

“But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.” (Joshua 7:1)

“Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold bar, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The Lord will bring trouble on you today.” Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since.” (Joshua 7:24-26)

1.    The manifold nature…

“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” (Proverbs 12:22)

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

“This is not merely a private transgression but an improper temple offering. Their sin was what Jesus pronounced woes upon: external righteousness without internal heart change.” (Patrick Schreiner)

2.    The malevolence…

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:21-23)

“Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.” (Luke 22:3-4)

3.    The judgment…

“When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.” (2 Samuel 6:6-7)

“Anyone who says the God of the Bible is merely a projection of our wish fulfillment has not read the Bible.” (Dale ralph Davis)

“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.” (Leviticus 10:1-2)

“Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel, and said to them, “Come here; carry your cousins outside the camp, away from the front of the sanctuary.” So they came and carried them, still in their tunics, outside the camp, as Moses ordered.” (Leviticus 10:4-5)

“For those who often sin and are not punished, have greater reason to fear and dread…for the vengeance is increased for them by their present impunity and the long-suffering of God…Let each consider when he commits such sins. Many like things are done now as were done before the flood, yet no flood has been sent; because there is a hell threatened and vengeance. Many sin as the people in Sodom, yet no rain of fire has been poured down; because a river of fire is prepared. Many go to the lengths of Pharaoh; they have not fared like Pharaoh; they have not been drowned in the Red Sea; for the sea that awaits them is the sea of the bottomless pit…Many have offended like the Israelites, but no serpents have devoured them; there awaits them the worm that never dieth…Therefore, when you see anything happening to you, call to mind that particular sin of yours…God sets thee a time, in which to wash yourself clean; but if thou persist, at last He will send down the vengeance. You have seen the fate of liars.” (John Chrysostom – Homily 12 on Acts – 4th Century)