Duo Better Halves by Robin Densmore Fuson

 

In our Sidekick and Better Half Series, we will jump over to the New Testament for a Better Half segment titled, Duo Better Half. Why duo? Four better halves equal two couples, a duo.

The first couple we will look at are Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Ananias name means, Yahweh has been gracious. Sapphira’s name is derived from the Hebrew sappir (sah-PEER) and the Greek translation is sapphire.

Ananias and Sapphira appear toward the beginning of the book of Acts. This is when the early church is being established. The believers worshiped at the Temple and met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, prayer, and fellowship. They shared each other’s burdens.

Persecution could be intense. And as a group, they shared their provisions with each other. Some sold property and other items and gave the money to the apostles to distribute to the needy. I’ll be quoting verses from Acts 5:1-11 nlt.

In this scene, Ananias and Sapphira concocted a scheme. In their hearts they wanted to do some good. They did what so many others in the family of God did, they sold some land to give the money to Peter to distribute to those in need. Great idea. Good for them. Right?

Well, their pride overcame their good intention. They wanted to keep some of the profit. No problem. They didn’t have to give any of the proceeds. They could’ve kept the whole amount. In fact, they didn’t have to sell the property.

The problem came when they agreed together to lie. They determined to ‘puff themselves up’ by saying they gave ALL the proceeds. It made them look more benevolent. Say the land profit was $12,000 and they wanted to keep $4,000. Sounds fine to me.

So, Ananias went to Peter and said, “We sold some land for $8,000 and we want to give all the profit to help others. Our large contribution is the total amount of $8,000.” Oh, no!

Peter shook his head in unbelief. “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 this, he fell down, dead!

A few hours later, Sapphira came in to get her ego stoked. Peter asked her if the cash her husband gave them was for the whole amount of the sale?

Her smile lit the room. “Yes! $8,000!

Peter wiped his hand over his face. “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.”

These better halves were not better. They convinced themselves to lie together. A conspiracy. A pact. There wasn’t a better half. Together they were a unity of lies.

The Lord doesn’t tolerate dishonesty or hypocrisy.  Their pride caused their deaths. All senseless. They didn’t have to sell the land. They didn’t have to give all the money. They lied so they could look more generous to others. They wanted a pat on the back. Recognition.

Well, they are remembered. Not for the gift but for their notorious death by lying.

 

Now, let’s see what goes on in another couple’s lives, Aquilla and Priscilla. Aquilla means eagle. Priscilla comes from the root of the word meaning ancient or old.

To meet these amazing, Better Halves, I’ll read Acts 18: 1-3 nlt.

Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.

This couple fled from persecution in Italy. Instead of getting bitter. They encouraged each other and worked hard making tents.

At some point in their lives, they each became believers in Jesus Christ. They both learned and grew under Paul’s ministry. Each half became better and stronger, making a solid union.

A year and a half later, Paul encouraged this phenomenal couple to move to Ephesus with him to help start a church there. After Paul left, they continued to open their home for the church to meet. 1 Corinthians 16:19.

Acts 18:24-26 tell us more. An eloquent speaker named Apollos came to Ephesus. He knew scripture but he hadn’t connected the dots of why Jesus had to die and rise again. He didn’t understand the Holy Spirit’s working nor the ministry of the church to Jews and gentiles.

Our wonderful husband and wife duo, Ananis and Sapphira took him aside and taught him. They took him under their wings.     

We find these better halves encouraging true understanding in others. They worked together, hand-in-hand, to build up truth and doctrine in the lives of those around them.

Later in, 2 Timothy 4:19, Paul gives a shout out to them.

They are remembered fondly as stimulators of the true good news, faith, and cultivators of church growth. They show us hospitality and an open spirit to help others.

This couple brough joy and encouragement to others and is one to emulate in our lives. The opposite of the first couple who brought deceit and terror into the lives of others.

This husband and wife are both the better half. Each one blessed and made the better half shine, look good, and prosper.

The first couple caused the husband and wife to look bad, lie, and die.

Quite a contrast.

Both couples’ lives teach us many things: God loves truth. God punishes sin. The Holy Spirit can be lied to. The Holy Spirit helps us teach the word to others. We should nurture our better half in the ministry God has called them to. It’s important to be encouragers. We should use our gifts, including but not limited to, hospitality and discipleship.