The Sins of Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:1-11 records the first encroachment of sin into the infant church. There had been a common sharing of material possessions (Acts 4:32-35), but not through the imposition of any kind “communistic” system. It was a voluntary thing (Acts 5:4a), likely intended to aid the Jews who were visiting Jerusalem for Pentecost (Acts 2:5-11) and now wanted to stay on longer to receive more teaching from the apostles.

So if it was not wrong to keep back part of the money for themselves, what was involved in the sin of this couple? It was lying about what they had done. Hypocrisy was the very evil which had polluted Judaism. The Pharisees were notorious for it. Behind what Ananias and Sapphira did we can see the shadowy indication of some wrong attitudes and desires. Their actions suggest:

1. They envied the appreciation shown to Barnabas and others for their generosity, and they craved the praise of men (4:32-37).
2. They were unwilling to relinquish completely their claim and grip on the things of this world.
3. They tried to generate the outward effects of the fruit of the Spirit by fleshly effort.
4. They placed what men said to them above what God saw in them.
5. They had more thought of what their gift would do for themselves than what it would do for others.
6. They squandered the power of unity and agreement in the fellowship on selfish gain (cf. Matt. 18:19-20).
7. Their priorities were temporal and material, not eternal and spiritual.
8. They seem to have had no fear of God (cf. vs. 5, 11), or understanding of His omniscience.
9. They did not respect the leaders of the church, who represent God among us and should be recognized for this high calling.
10. They failed to resist temptation–which Peter’s “Why…?” (vs. 3) plainly suggests they could have and should have (cf. I Cor. 10:13).
11. They did not live up to their names. “Ananias” means the Lord has shown grace, or whom Jehovah has graciously given. “Sapphira” means sapphire, that which is precious and beautiful. But there was nothing of grace or beauty in what they did.
12. Their actions show that the enemy is at work within the church as well as attacking from the outside (Acts 4)