Depew Church of Christ
The couple pledged a large sum for an impoverished community. They first had to sell their property. The big day arrived. Those who’d pledged arrived, ready to give. Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, arrived separately. Ananias showed first. Peter questioned him. He failed God’s test. Not a good sign. He dropped dead! Literally! He was immediately buried.
A few hours later, Sapphira showed up. She hadn’t yet heard about Ananias’ death. Peter spoke bluntly: “Why...put the Holy Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out as well” (see Acts 5:1-11). Sounds coarse, but the Lord was about to strike her dead anyway.
Why did God preserve this event for us? Did He look ahead to His church today? He may have seen some withholding contributions. Maybe you’ve promised to give so much to God and His church, but something came up. That’s what Ananias and Sapphira did.
They’d promised the apostle so much when their property sold. The money was in their hands… Maybe they walked around town telling folks about their generosity. Boasting? Pride? Jesus speaks to us about this: “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3).
Ananias schemed with his wife to keep some of the promised money. We aren’t sure exactly what this couple planned and plotted. We do know that they lied: “You have not lied to men, but to God” (Acts 5:4). Perhaps they asked themselves, “What’s in it for me?”
Another lesson for us: God, our Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are a unified trinity. They are one!
Peter asked, “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?” (vs. 3). Wow! Satan is behind all lies! Jesus taught about lying: “The devil...there is no truth in him...Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies” ( John 8:44).
Ananias and Sapphira’s lesson teaches us about greed and materialism. We know from the text that they “kept back some of the price...bringing a portion of it” (vs. 2-3). They were loving the world more than loving God.
Notice verse 11. The church and community responded. Lying to God is impossible! We can’t live a lie!
Try to convince people you love Jesus when you really don’t. People will find out. Broken promises. Hidden sin. You’re fully known by God.
What’s in it for you? God gives what you need. Trust Him to provide! He will generously give you all that you need.