ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA

In Peter’s concluding remarks in his letter to the Christian “exiles dispersed abroad” (1 Peter 1:1), the aging Apostle warned, “humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour” (1 Peter 5:6–8).

Peter, once hot-headed and proud, had grown into a humble servant of our Lord and Master! Quite possibly, the church’s experience with Ananias and Sapphira had impacted Peter’s heart and life. Here’s what happened…

Barnabas, Paul’s partner on the first missionary journey, had sold a piece of land and given the proceeds to the church… not a portion of the proceeds, but all of them (Acts 4:36-37). Barnabas’s generosity surely hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Later, Ananias and Sapphira also sold a piece of property. Like Barnabas, they gave a generous gift to the church. With great ceremony, they announced to the church that they were donating the proceeds from the sale of their property, but they “kept back part of the proceeds” (Acts 5:2). They lied! “Look at me! Ain’t I great!” 

Prompted by the Spirit, Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 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” (Acts 5:3-4). They succumbed to the evil temptation of the “roaring lion.”

God’s judgment seems harsh! Ananias and Sapphira both collapsed in death! (Acts 5:5-10). “Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things” and “believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—multitudes of both men and women” (Acts 5:11, 14).

Peter learned the necessity and benefit of keeping pride in check… to “humble (ourselves), therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt (us) at the proper time.”

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).