If I Could Ask One Question of Ananias and Sapphira, I would ask “What Were You Thinking?”

“But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!” Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.” Acts 5:1-11

The early believers were so filled with the Holy Spirit, being ministered to by the tremendous power and Grace of the Apostles, that they were of one heart and one mind. They were of one mind so much that they held all of their possessions together, sharing them willingly with those in need. If someone sold land, the money from the sale was given to the Apostles to be used as needed. Two members of this group were Ananias and his wife, Sapphira; they also had some property which they sold. Part of the profit from their sale was kept back by the couple, and Ananias only laid a part of the money at the Apostles’ feet. However, Ananias made it seem that he had given all of the money to the group stating he did not hold any back.

But Peter, being filled with the power of the Spirit, knew instantly that Ananias was lying—not just to him but to G-d—and exposed his hypocrisy then and there. Ananias fell down and died. When Sapphira showed up, she, too, lied to Peter and to G-d, saying that they had donated the entire proceeds of the sale of the land to the church. When her lie had been exposed, she also fell down and died at Peter’s feet.

Some speculate that these two deaths were from natural causes. Perhaps Ananias died from shock or guilt, but Peter pronounced Sapphira’s death before she died, and the coincidental timing and place of their deaths indicate that this was indeed G-d’s judgment. The question is why. Why would G-d kill two people for lying? 

The story of Ananias and Sapphira is a difficult story, since to our 21^st century perspective, dying for the sin of lying seems extreme. But the true reason seems to come under the banner of hypocrisy and example. When a small group is working so hard to maintain the community, following certain rules and working to maintain harmony, order and faith, when someone breaks the rules, then consequences will follow – and sometimes harsh consequences. In trying to find a contemporary example of such a community, I believe the military might serve as a good example. When recruits are trained in “boot camp”, following the rules and knowing that your fellow members are of the “same mind” is important for the future cohesiveness of the group. One or two “weak links” will keep the entire group from meeting goals and objectives. From the perspective of the small community of believers, if the sin of one or two is not dealt with, harshly and swiftly, the doubt and fear of others will begin to destroy the cohesiveness of the group.

Was it necessary to “kill” both Ananias and Sapphira? Well, that is a question you can ask G-d once you move into your room in heaven. My question for Ananias and Sapphira is “What were you thinking?” What question do you have for this mysterious couple?

Pastor Dave