Acts 5:1-11 CSB
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. [2] 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. [3] "Ananias," Peter asked, "why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? [4] 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 people but to God." [5] When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. [6] The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. [7] About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. [8] "Tell me," Peter asked her, "did you sell the land for this price?" "Yes," she said, "for that price." [9] 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." [10] 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. [11] Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.
Joshua 7:20-21 CSB
Achan replied to Joshua, "It is true. I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: [21] When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Babylon, five pounds of silver, and a bar of gold weighing a pound and a quarter, I coveted them and took them. You can see for yourself. They are concealed in the ground inside my tent, with the silver under the cloak."
Being Carried Out
To be called by God is to be set apart—to be holy, different from the world. We are forgiven for so much in this life, yet our loving Father, His beautiful Son, and the guiding Holy Spirit are worthy of our deepest respect. Throughout both Jewish history and the church age, there have been moments when people have tested the holiness of God and faced the consequences. We cannot lie to the Holy Spirit; God searches the heart. The Holy Spirit was a true witness, aware of what Ananias and his wife dared to keep secret. In truth, Ananias became a thief of his own possessions—a secret that the Holy Spirit made known to Peter.
Our scripture today is not unlike the story of Achan in the book of Joshua. After a disastrous military defeat, Israel realized God was not with them because there was sin in the camp. Achan had treated the word of God as a trivial thing. He coveted a beautiful cloak and silver, hiding the forbidden treasure beneath the floor of his tent, thinking no one would find out. But God knew. The sin was brought to light, and it carried a heavy cost.
We see this same pattern in Leviticus 10 with the sons of Aaron, who disobeyed God’s instructions. They decided that cutting corners in worship was acceptable, but their hearts were not devoted to the holiness of God. As the Lord said, “I will demonstrate my holiness to those who are near me, and I will reveal my glory before all the people.” If the shadow of the truth—the law given by Moses and the ordinances pointing to Christ—was worthy of such care and obedience, how much more is the Church of the living God?
The early Church was in its infancy. The Holy Spirit’s power was present then just as it is now. The body of believers is holy to the Lord, and sin will always be revealed. While we have the option of true repentance and forgiveness—as 1 John 1:9 promises, that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness—Ananias and Sapphira chose a different path.
They were not obligated to sell their land; it was theirs to do with as they pleased. Their sin was not the act of keeping the money, but the act of deceit. They sought the applause of the community, hoping to gain a reputation for generosity while harboring a lying heart. It was a superficial faith that sought glory from men rather than service to the Lord. They believed they could deceive the Holy Spirit, and it cost them everything.
The New Covenant was not written on stone, but on the heart. When we offer a hollow sacrifice—whether it is our time, our energy, or our devotion—purely for the sake of appearances, we are ignoring the very Spirit that dwells within us. The early Church shows us that the cost of hypocrisy is high, but the reward of a surrendered heart is the very Presence of God. We must guard our hearts, ensuring our offering of time and energy is not for the applause of others, but a genuine overflow of a love transformed by the Spirit of the Living God.
Reflection Questions
- How does the account of Ananias and Sapphira challenge our understanding of “giving” to the Lord?
- Why is the “fear of the Lord” a necessary component of our relationship with Him, even though we live under grace?
- How can we guard our hearts against the temptation to perform acts of righteousness just to be seen by others?
Prayer
Father,
We thank You for the unity of the Spirit. Thank You for writing Your law upon our hearts and calling us into Your family. Protect our hearts from selfishness and the desire to hold onto what is ours at the expense of our brothers and sisters. Help us to be a people of one heart and one mind, reflecting the generous grace of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
