Acts 5:1-6:7 “What was the Sin of Ananias and Sapphira?”

READ: Acts 5-6:7

Verses chosen for meditation: Acts 5:1-4

5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ² and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

REFLECT

This passage may be confusing on some levels. What was so serious about Ananias and Sapphira’s sin? Aren’t they entitled to do whatever with the proceeds from their property’s sale?

This occurred when the first Christian community was at its infancy stage, with the apostles setting foundations for the early church. Filled with the holy spirit, the community was of one heart (Acts 4:32). One of the manifestations of the spirit was compassion and generosity, transforming the early Christians to share what they had with the poor. It went to the extent that people sold their possessions and handed the proceeds to the apostles, trusted stewards to redistribute to the needy.

This led to the culture of what a church is called to do, providing for the poor, being stewards of what God had given them. However, this was not compelled. The people shared out of their free will and desire. There was no requirement that the people must sell their properties or that 100% of the proceeds must go to the poor. So, where’s the wrong in Ananias and Sapphira? 

In v4, Peter even said that what’s theirs is theirs, hence the sin was not in them keeping a part of the proceeds. The deed they contrived in their hearts (v4) was that they coveted the reputation of being generous, and lied about giving all the proceeds from their sale.

Barnabas, in Acts 4:36-37, sold his field and gave all proceeds to the poor. They wanted to be admired as having that same generosity. However, unlike Barnabus, they were not prepared to follow through, but acted like that they did. The couple was eventually struck down by God (Acts 5:5, 10), causing fear in the early church (Acts 5:11).

RELATE

What the couple did was grievous as it concerns integrity. It’s not only about dishonesty (not honouring their initially communicated pledge), but also the hypocrisy in the pretense. They wanted the prestige of spiritual generosity, yet not willing to bear the inconvenience of it. Hence, they lied to gain a reputation they had no right to.

Behind the deceit, it reveals a severe heart condition: They are not very much concerned about their own inner being, but more concerned about external image. Their motive of giving was not care for the poor, but boosting their own ego. This preoccupation with projecting an image, than to look at the reality of their hearts, is common in many of us Christians. Often, we do not reflect on our hearts enough to be clear of what we really are, but are more concerned with what people think of us.

One good way of checking if we’re like that is looking at our 1^st response to making an error or doing something wrong. Do we immediately think: who saw it? How do I explain away my actions? Or do we think: Why did I do that? What was my purpose in that? Did I underestimate certain tendencies that I may have? One response is interested in maintaining an image. The other is interested in examining self for pursuit of holiness. God is most concerned with our heart conditions, more than the acts we do.

Then, there is the part some readers may be offended by, which is the severity of God’s judgement. One act of deceit, and they were struck dead. How draconian is that? Before debating this, we note that God has the prerogative here. He is God, with all the authority. As men with limited comprehension, we do not know better. However, we know our God to be merciful and gracious, so we may struggle with such judgement that seems to run contradictory to that nature.

While we don’t presume to question the ways of God, we can try to understand better. As mentioned, the community was in its infancy. The early Christians, not many then, were on a mission to spread the gospel. Credibility and trust are essential in that mission and community building, and the couple threatened that trust. Their ways would be like a virus which could spread and crumble the integrity of the community, compromising the gospel. The judgement, though drastic, was necessary or the Christian ideal would not have been preserved during that crucial period.

This also reminds us again the gravity of sin. Sin is serious, hence this judgement is valid. God is not draconian. In fact, why such judgements are not more common shows that God has been so merciful, opposite of draconian. This event resulted with fear in the church. May we also have this fear. Not so much trembling because of God's judgement, but fear so that we take our heart conditions more seriously and not take God’s mercy for granted.

REST

Lord, look into my heart and show me what’s wrong with it. Help me and change my heart to be one that you desire. Amen.

Chris Chong