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The Bible gives an account of Ananias and Sapphira. The couple owned a certain piece of land and were trying to sell it off. However, regardless of their efforts to do so, the land was never bought, until when they made a pledge (Acts 5:1-2). The mere fact that they pledged shows us that they committed a certain percentage of the revenue of the land to the Lord by a solemn promise. They probably told the Lord that if He helped them sell off the property, they would give Him a certain amount of the money.
And now we see that, when the Holy Spirit, through Peter then came to collect what belonged to the Lord, the couple lied and died.
“Peter said to Ananias, ‘Ananias, why did you let Satan fill you with the idea that you could deceive the Holy Spirit? You’ve held back some of the money you received for the land.’” - (Acts 5:3)
The Holy Spirit was not concerned about the giving of the money; He was concerned with the fact that they did not give back what they had pledged. Peter mentioned that the amount was not enough, meaning there was an amount that had already been committed to.
Some of you pledged to the Lord that when your businesses start blooming, you will give back a certain percentage, yet you never lived up to your pledge. Maybe you promised God that if your mother is healed, you will bring a specific seed to the Lord, yet you did not. It is very dangerous to involve the Holy Spirit to help you out of certain situations with the promise that if He helps you, you will give back a certain thing, and you do not do it.
Today, as we pray, I want us to make a covenant with the Holy Spirit concerning that business, marriage, academic programme, tender and project. Let us ask the Lord to intervene with the promise that we will give back what belongs to Him.