The Book of Acts

Ananias & Sapphira

Acts 5:1-11 _NLT

“But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.”- Acts 5:1-2

            How serious is God about his hatred for sin? If you ever had any doubts, this encounter should erase them all. Lying is never good. Lying to God who knows every person’s heart motivation as well as all that can be known is foolhardy at best. God is not mocked, nor can he be fooled. Ananias & Sapphira forgot that or never knew it. Now it is too late for them, but not for those who witnessed their demise. 

            Both Ananias & Sapphira were complicit in this event. Ananias sold property and instead of giving all the proceeds to Peter and the apostles, they both agreed to keep some for themselves. Dishonesty and greed are in play here. So they lied to the apostles, thus incurring not only Peter’s scathing rebuke, by instant judgment. Peter confronted Ananias, asking him if the money given was the entire amount received from the sale. When Ananias stated that it was, Peter wanted to know why he would lie to the Holy Spirit of God regarding the matter. He concluded his statement that he wasn’t only lying to the apostles, but also to God. Upon hearing this rebuke Ananias fell to the floor dead. Some men wrapped him up and buried him.  

            Roughly three hours lately Ananias’ wife, Sapphira, not knowing what had happened, came in to where the apostles were. Peter asked her if the money her husband had given was the entire amount. She concurred. Peter’s immediate reaction was to ask Sapphira how both her and her husband could think of conspiring to test the Holy Spirit of God. She was told that the men who carried her husband out would come to remove her as well. With that Sapphira also dropped dead on the floor and was removed. She was buried beside her husband.

            What had happened that day was evidence enough that God takes sin very, very seriously. There are those today who would say “I thought God was all loving and forgiving?” Not understanding that God’s holiness cannot allow sin in his presence. Therefore, while it may be thought that God’s judgment was too harsh, we must understand that sin is sin. There are no big or little sins. No venial or mortal sins. Sin is sin and it has no place in God’s kingdom. If repentant, then forgiveness is certainly available, but without contrition, and / or regret, God’s forgiveness is unavailable. We are to change our ways once we know Christ. We become a new creation when we become born of the spirit. Old things pass away, behold all things have become new. We mustn’t ever think we can fool God. This is the lesson of this portion of scripture. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.