Early in the Book of Acts we learn of a married couple named Ananias and Sapphira. Their story does NOT have a happy ending because they lied.
What was their lie and how did they suffer for it? Let’s set the stage.
This story occurs with a young Christian church that started in a way that surely pleased God.
Acts 4:32
The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
These early Christians followed Jesus’ instruction to love your neighbor (Matthew 22:39). This group was in the habit of selling all their possessions and then giving the proceeds to the church so that ALL were cared for equally.
Ananias and Sapphira were members of the church and wanted to impress the Apostle Peter and all church members. So, they sold all their property and gave a portion to Peter, while secretly keeping a portion for themselves. But Ananias told Peter that he had given all proceeds for God’s church.
Acts 5:3
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Peter told Ananias that the lie was not just to man, but to God as well.
Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell and died.
A short time later Ananias’ wife, Sapphira, arrived (not knowing the fate of her husband) and told Peter the same lie.
Acts 5:9
But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
After Peter said these words, Sapphira immediately fell and died.
Ananias and Sapphira were punished for their lie. But what was the real sin?
There was more at stake here than just the amount of money that they wanted to keep for themselves.
At stake was the beauty of the early church and the spirit of Christ’s teachings.
The real sin was caring more for honor than for being Christlike. And – as Peter said – the real dishonesty was Ananias’ and Sapphira’s lie to God.
This story teaches us important lessons.
First, remember that loving your neighbor brings rewards in heaven that far surpass any reward you can receive on earth (such as honor or money). Second, don’t allow your need for honor exceed your need to work to bring God contentment. And third, don’t be a hypocrite and pass yourself off as a sincere Christian, when you’re only serving yourself. (That is one form of taking the Lord’s name in vain.) You might fool people around you, but won’t fool God.
What was their lie and how did they suffer for it? Let’s set the stage.
This story occurs with a young Christian church that started in a way that surely pleased God.
Acts 4:32
The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
These early Christians followed Jesus’ instruction to love your neighbor (Matthew 22:39). This group was in the habit of selling all their possessions and then giving the proceeds to the church so that ALL were cared for equally.
Ananias and Sapphira were members of the church and wanted to impress the Apostle Peter and all church members. So, they sold all their property and gave a portion to Peter, while secretly keeping a portion for themselves. But Ananias told Peter that he had given all proceeds for God’s church.
Acts 5:3
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Peter told Ananias that the lie was not just to man, but to God as well.
Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell and died.
A short time later Ananias’ wife, Sapphira, arrived (not knowing the fate of her husband) and told Peter the same lie.
Acts 5:9
But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
After Peter said these words, Sapphira immediately fell and died.
Ananias and Sapphira were punished for their lie. But what was the real sin?
There was more at stake here than just the amount of money that they wanted to keep for themselves.
At stake was the beauty of the early church and the spirit of Christ’s teachings.
The real sin was caring more for honor than for being Christlike. And – as Peter said – the real dishonesty was Ananias’ and Sapphira’s lie to God.
This story teaches us important lessons.
First, remember that loving your neighbor brings rewards in heaven that far surpass any reward you can receive on earth (such as honor or money). Second, don’t allow your need for honor exceed your need to work to bring God contentment. And third, don’t be a hypocrite and pass yourself off as a sincere Christian, when you’re only serving yourself. (That is one form of taking the Lord’s name in vain.) You might fool people around you, but won’t fool God.
