4324 — ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA
In Acts 5: 1, 2 it says, “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” What was their reason for keeping back part of the price? And in the fourth verse, where it says, “Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God,” in what way did they lie to God?
H. G. Shortly after the organization of the church at Jerusalem, there were some among the believers who, on account of their faith, were cast out of their homes, and cut off from their means of support, while others had money and property of considerable value. The record says of these, in the latter part of chapter 4, that they had all things in common. Those who had possessions, sold them and put the proceeds in the common fund; and from this, distribution was made to those who were in need. The instance is cited of one, Joses, who sold his property and brought the money to the apostles. Two others, Ananias and Sapphira, under the influence of the Spirit, had pledged the proceeds from the sale of certain property. Later, after they had had opportunity to think it over, they allowed a spirit of covetousness to come into their hearts, and concluded that they had been too hasty in making such a large pledge. They noted, however, that those who had thus sacrificed their possessions were held in high esteem by their brethren; and wishing to win for themselves this same high opinion, and yet not wishing to give so large an amount, they deliberately decided to sell their property and withhold a large share of the proceeds for themselves, while pretending to give the full amount. In telling Peter that they had given the full amount that they had received, they deliberately lied to the Holy Spirit. It was true, as Peter said, that the property was their own, and they were not obliged to give it up — they had made the pledge from their own free will; and in attempting to deceive the apostles, they had lied to the Almighty. This example was given as a warning against hypocrisy to those of all ages, and that they should beware of robbing God. It is God who entrusts men with property, and He does this that they may use it in blessing others, and He will one day call them to give an account of their stewardship. He claims a certain portion, a tenth, as His own, and aside from this, asks that men give free-will offerings to aid in the propagation of His work in the earth. When a man has made a pledge to God, he should consider it his highest duty to fulfil it. The warning of God’s word is, “Beware of covetousness, which is idolatry.”