THE SIN OF ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA

Acts 5:1-2 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Although not compelled to do so by a commandment of the Lord, members of the first church of Christ that assembled in Jerusalem, sold their houses and lands in order to have money to buy and provide for the necessities to physically sustain all transient members of Christ's body. Such love for one another, demonstrated in this outpouring of liberality, had never before been observed and recorded in the word of God. In the midst of these acts of true brotherly love, we find a certain man named Ananias, and Sapphira his wife. Like other new-born Christians, they too, sold a possession, with the intention of contributing to the needs of their brothers and sisters in Christ.

The quotation used as the lesson text does not reveal the sin of Ananias and Sapphira but leads to its conclusion, which serves as an example to each and every child of God within the body of Christ. In the following verses 3-1l, we observe their sin. Ananias and Sapphira were not required to sell their property - either a part or all of it. They were not required by commandment to give all or any part of the proceeds to other Christians. It would have been acceptable in the sight of God for them to keep part or all of it for themselves. They were not required to give any of it for the benefit of others. The fact that they brought a certain part (of the proceeds), and laid it at the apostles' feed, was, indeed, commendable, however they evidently vowed to give the entire amount to benefit other Christians in need.

Having been endowed with the miraculous ability to know his sinful heart, Peter questioned Ananias by asking him, why hast Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back a part of the price of the land? Ananias did not openly lie to the men and women surrounding him. Neither did he lie in a manner that would be known to mankind. Rather, Ananias lied in his thoughts to God. Although he could have kept back part of the price he received for the sale of his land, he falsely pretended to be giving it all to assist other Christians in the assembly. He intentionally attempted to deceive his fellow man, but, in doing so, he openly sinned against his all-knowing God that knew his heart. Such hypocrisy, demonstrated by this deceitful act, was an abomination in the sight of God.

In Verse 4, Peter exposes these truths to Ananias, and others in the assembly, with these condemning words: While it remained, was it not thine own, and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. God chose to reward this tragic act of hypocrisy directly and instantaneously for two reasons. First, it was just punishment for deceiving others and lying to God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost. Secondly, his just punishment was to serve as an example for others to show God's disdain for such false, hypocritical acts of charity. This was assured when great fear came on all them that heard these things (Acts 5:5). No doubt the entire assembly of Christians trembled when they realized that their all-knowing God could discern all deceitful intentions of the mind of mankind. One can only imagine the awe-inspiring thoughts of all that witnessed the final scene of Ananias when the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him (Acts 5:5-6).

The lesson text tells us that Ananias' wife, Sapphira, was privy to it, that is, she was a party to his deceitful lie to the fellow Christians and to God. Not knowing what was done, Sapphira came in. After admitting she and her husband had sold the land for so much, Peter asked her, How is it that ye have agreed together (with your husband) to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Even without answering, Peter, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, knew her guiltiness was the same as that of Ananias. Therefore, because she was to receive the same just punishment, God, through Peter, uttered this final judgment: behold, the feet of them, which have buried thy husband, are at the door, and shall carry thee out. After which she fell down at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband (See Vss. 7-10). Thus, it was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira, by which all members of the body of Christ learned the severity of God's wrath for hypocritical acts of charity. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things (Vs. 11).