Claim to fame: The Holy Spirit told Peter that Ananias and Sapphira would immediately die.
Worst betrayal: Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Spirit and the Church about their generous giving.
The Story of Ananias and Sapphira
In the world of art, the death of Ananias was painted by Raphael circa 1502-03, the death of Sapphira was painted by Ambrosius Francken the Elder circa 1595, and both are shown on the back panel of the elaborate ivory Brescia Casket, which dates back to the late fourth century. In the latter, Ananias is already dead and Sapphira soon will be too.
Why would the non-martyrdom deaths of an early Christian couple merit such attention in the worlds of art and in the Christian faith? To show the seriousness of lying to and stealing from the Lord God.
At every age, this particularly hard but crucial lesson needs to be seen, felt, and feared.
When the nation of Israel crossed the Jordan River and began taking possession of the Promised Land, everyone quickly learned the seriousness of lying to and stealing from the Lord.
In that case, Achan was pinpointed by the casting of sacred lots. Achan confessed, the riches were recovered under his tent, and he was stoned to death that same day. The story is told in Judges 7.
Why? Again, to show the seriousness of lying to and stealing from the Lord.
Shortly after the birth of the Church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the Church in Jerusalem exploded in size. In response, several early Christians sold property and gave some or all of the proceeds to the apostles,
For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:34-37).
Ananias and Sapphira decided to scheme against the Lord, sell a property, give only some of the proceeds to the apostles, yet claim that they gave 100 percent.
In this case, their lie was pinpointed by the Holy Spirit telling Peter what was happening. Ananias did the dirty deed, Peter confronted him, and Ananias died instantly.
Three hours later, Sapphira came looking for her husband, repeated their bold lie, was rebuked by Peter, and died as well. This story is told in Acts 5:1-11,
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Unlike Ananias and Sapphira, may you and I never try to lie to and steal from the Lord.
Ananias and Sapphira’s Relevance
The exuberant crowd applauded as the president of a medium-sized Christian college climbed the podium for the last speech of the day.
At the culmination of the groundbreaking ceremony for the college’s new library, he opened an envelope handed to him by a businessman who was smiling and waving to the media.
Instead of holding a promised million-dollar gift, however, the envelope contained an IOU. Not a dollar of that IOU ever was paid. Who was jilted worse? The struggling college — or God?
Ananias and Sapphira’s ploy was much more subtle — subtle enough that they thought they could get away with it. Yet God always knows the true value of one’s giving. More importantly, He knows the exact condition of every heart.
Of course, Ananias and Sapphira were under no obligation to give anything to the Church. Though the early believers shared freely, no one was pressured to give up ownership of personal property or to tithe a certain amount of each sale.
Still, because of greed or vanity, Ananias and Sapphira choose to falsify the size of their gift. That premeditated sin brought severe judgment upon their heads.
Ananias and Sapphira were not judged for their lack of generosity. Instead, they were judged for trying to deceive God. They presented themselves as something very different than what they actually were.
You and I may be inclined to overlook a lie, judging its severity by the perceived damage that’s been done. But every lie is in reality a bold statement of unbelief against the omniscient Lord God.
Someone very well may try to fool other believers, but who in his or her right mind would try to deceive the all-seeing and all-knowing Lord?
Unlike Ananias and Sapphira, let’s make a point of telling the truth about our giving to God and others. God sees and knows all, and certainly doesn’t take such sins lightly.
Scriptures about Ananias and Sapphira
The immediate context of their story is Acts 4:32-37. The story itself is Acts 5:1-10 The aftermath is Acts 5:11, which says, “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.”
Great fear, indeed, after hearing the seriousness of lying to and stealing from the Lord.
For further reading:
4 Remarkable Truths in the Story of a Poor Widow Who Gave All
What Is the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
What Really Happened at Pentecost?
Were the First Christians Socialists?
What Does it Mean ‘Where Your Treasure Is There Your Heart Is Also’?
Does it Matter to God What I Think?
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