Let’s look at Ananias & Sapphira. They are accused of lying to the Holy Ghost, and rightfully so. But… isn’t the price they paid a little steep for lying.
There has to be more, such as, what was the motive of their heart? What was it they thought to gain out of this?
Why would the Judgment of God be so, not only severe, but quick? Immediate death sentence.
And it wasn’t, you’re going to die. It was, BOOM, you’re dead!
One of the reasons for what happened was the condition that the church was in at the time. They were in much better shape when it comes to the relationship with the Lord than we are today.
It states in Acts 4: 32 – 35
That they were of one heart and of one soul. They recognized that they had been bought with a price and that they were not their own, therefore they understood that the things they possessed were not their own but a willingness to share all things. They truly understood what it meant to Love your neighbour as yourself.
This is a state of Love that the church today is nowhere near.
I mean, who do you know that would share all their possessions with you? Or even better yet, that you would share all your possessions with?
V. 33
With Great power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And Great Grace was at work in the church… Notice that God’s power and ability were manifested.
V. 34
Not one person had a lack of anything
For as many, as were possessors lands and houses sold them and brought the price of the things that were sold and laid them at the Apostles feet.
The Apostles dividing it to all who had a need.
So we see the church in an environment where the power of God is in demonstration, everything is provided and everyone truly loves their neighbour as themselves enough to share their livelihood.
Then in Acts 4: 36, 37
Joses gets exalted by the Apostles to a position of leadership, even giving him a new name Barnabas. Which means Son of Encouragement or exhortation and comfort. Another translation is the Preacher.
We can see the position he attained throughout the rest of the book of Acts, running with the Apostles in Ministry.
And it just so happened that he had sold some land and laid the money at the Apostles feet for distribution.
The church we see here is not like today’s church where money will buy you a position in Ministry. The money that Joses gave is not what earned him a position with the Apostles. Because as we have seen in Acts 4: 34, 35 many had already done the same thing. But it was rather his lifestyle which he was named after. A walk of love and encouragement to others. A devotion to the Lord and those that had a need.
Well, it is not a coincidence that these things were written about Barnabas, because this is what sparks the scheme that Ananias and Sapphira come up with.
So now we start Acts 5
Ananias and Sapphira had just watched Joses sell his land, Give, Get exalted by the Apostles and given the name Barnabas. So they come up with a scheme. Because apparently, they believed that if they did what Joses did, give a good amount money and “appear” to walk in love, that they could use the power in money to be exalted too.
Acts 5:1, 2
Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a possession (land) and kept back part of the price. And he brought a certain part and laid it at the Apostles feet. You see, it wasn’t just that they lied to the Holy Ghost as most believe, They had a two-fold plan.
Acts 5:3
As Peter said, why hath SATAN FILLED THY HEART (#1) to lie to the Holy Ghost -AND- (#2) to keep back part of the price of the land.
1 – they thought that if they sold land and gave (like Barnabas) they could use the power in money to be exalted. Thinking they could make it look like they walked in integrity and Love. While attempting to purchase an exalted position with the Apostles. And as Peter had stated, this was a sceme created by satan. For what purpose, for Satan to gain a position in the Ministry.
2 – and that they could deceptively say they gave the full price and keep money for themselves. Attempting to paint a false impression of themselves to everyone, that they had love for others.
And to prove that it wasn’t just that they lied about giving all the money. Peter says in Verse 4.
While the land remained was it not thine own? In other words, The land was yours to do with as you pleased.
And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? In other words, The money was yours to do with as you pleased.
So they could have given whatever and been fine, but they had an alternative motive…to be exalted by the power of money to gain a position among the Apostles and lying deceit. Or so they thought.
And after you sold it,…Did you really think you could conceive this thing in your heart and deceive God?
Because of the Great Grace that was at work in the church at that time and they had conceived this sin in their heart…there was no room for repentance, judgment was swift bringing about a strict penalty. Verse 5…Death.
Shortly after in verses 7-10, Peter gives Sapphira a small opportunity, to tell the truth, but she had come into an agreement with her husband. The penalty…Death.
They had come to an agreement to try and get exalted by using the power of Money.
They thought they could purchase their position in ministry and at the same time gain a profit.
Sadly enough, The power of money will get you far in today’s church.
But because of the condition the Church was in back then, the presence of God was in manifestation, Great Grace exposed the condition of their heart and judgement was swift.
To further prove that they had tried to use the power in money to get exalted in ministry we will look at Verses 11-13
V.13 and the rest durst no man join himself to them, and the people magnified them.
Who is “them” ? The Apostles.
The rest of the Church had just witnessed Ananias and Sapphira attempt to join the Apostles through the power of money and deceit and witnessed what it cost them…their lives. The rest of the church decided that the price of self-exaltation was too high. No one dared attempt to exalt themselves to a position of ministry that they were not called too.
Some will say that verse 13 is saying that people would not join the church, but that is disproved by the next verse 14 which says that believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both men and women.
Once again in these last days, Great Grace will be manifest in the Church.
1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that Judgement must begin at the House of God. And if it first begins with us (the Church), what shall be the end of those that obey not the Gospel of God?
If you want to use the power in money to truly be exalted by God, you have to be willing to walk in enough love to give it to the saving of souls.