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Ananias sold some property for a lot of money. He gave only part of the money to the apostles; but, wanting to look generous, he claimed it was the full amount. His wife, Sapphira, had agreed to this deception.

Peter, one of the apostles, knew the truth. "Ananias," he said, "the money from the property was yours to spend however you wanted. But you lied and kept some of the money for yourself. Why would you do that? You weren't lying to us--you were lying to God."

As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died.

A few hours later, Sapphira arrived, not knowing what had happened.

"Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?" Peter asked her.

"Yes," she replied, "that was the price."

"How could the two of you even think of conspiring together to test the Spirit of the Lord?" Peter demanded. "Just outside that door are the young men who buried your husband. They will carry your body out, too."

Sapphira instantly fell to the floor and died. (See Acts 5:1-11.)

Our children probably won't die from cheating or lying. Yet this story emphasizes an important truth: When we cheat or lie, we're really trying to con God. (Of course, this is silly to do because He knows everything!) And even though we won't die sudden deaths from cheating, we will still experience the deadly results of lying. It will squelch our trustworthiness, honor, and reputation.

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."
Luke 16:10

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