"But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds from the field? Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God! ” When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. There was an interval of about three hours; then his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the field for this price? ” “Yes,” she said, “for that price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out! ” Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things."
Acts 5:1-11 CSB
Observations:
Is there anything that happened before this story that might be important?
A group of believers was described as sharing all that they owned, where the rich sold their properties and allowed the apostles to distribute as there was need.
One wealthy man, Barnabas, is acknowledged for selling a field and giving all the proceeds to the apostles
Who did what?
A couple, Ananias and Sapphira, also sell a field, but bring only a portion of the proceeds to the apostles, but act like it is all of the proceeds.
Peter rebukes the couple individually and with questions for their deceit.
Ananias and Sapphira both fall dead after they are rebuked
The young men come and bury both of them
The whole church becomes afraid of lying to the apostles.
What other choices could have been made?
Ananias and Sapphira could have told the truth about why they didn't want to give all the proceeds from their sell.
Peter could have handled this situation differently, in a way that didn't strike fear into the church.
Someone could have told Sapphira when her husband died.
God could have provided a different consequence for Ananias and Sapphira. I'm not going to lie, I struggle with this story because the consequence doesn't seem to match the crime to me 😦.
Applications:
Today, do people withhold their proceeds from the church? I would say it's not uncommon from my experience. As I've been studying this passage however, God's been showing me how easy it is for me to also withhold from the church when it comes to time, energy, and spiritual gifts, and that clearly, that's not how He designed the church to operate!
Today, do people react in fear to God's discipline rather than pursuing His heart behind the discipline? I know it's easier to be afraid and to start viewing authority as the 'evil they' in an "us vs. them dichotomy" when we are disciplined, but I honestly don't believe that's the Godly response. I have to still believe that there is no fear in love, and perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4), even though the consequences God sometimes chooses for His children are beyond my understanding. And I'll be honest, I've been asking God about His heart in the Ananias and Sapphira situation, and I still don't completely get it. What I do get right now is that He doesn't want me purposely withholding from my local body of believers, so I'm going to do my best to give freely of my time, energy, and giftings for the benefit of the body of Christ♡.
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