Read Acts 5:17-32
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira and the swift judgment that followed did not check the progress of the Church. “By the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought. … They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them.” Every one of us casts a shadow of influence on other wherever he goes.
But the bitterness of the rulers was not allayed by the judgment. They grew more and more fierce. The narrative goes on: “The high priest rose up, and all they that were with him. … and they were filled with jealousy.” The word “jealousy” gives us the key to this whole incident. The apostles were received with favour by the people. Multitudes were thronging about them with their sick, brought to be healed. It was the wonderful success of the gospel that so enraged the high priest and his party. There are some persons who cannot bear to see other persons succeed or to hear other people praised. Even in churches are sometimes found those who are embittered and aroused to jealousy by the prosperity of other churches. Instead of rejoicing that souls are saved, that the poor are helped, that evil spirits are cast our, that good is done, they criticize, talk bitterly, and oppose the efforts which are so manifestly of God. A godly Christian minister put it down at the end of a year, as one of the year’s lessons that he had learned to rejoice in the prosperity of others. No lesson is harder to learn, and none is more beautiful in life. We are all too apt to be jealous of those who are more honoured in life and work than ourselves.
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