Ananias and Sapphira Hide the Truth

Acts 5:1–11
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Hypocrisy

The last few verses of chapter 4 tell how church members were selling their possessions and bringing the money to the church. The people were praising God for the generous offering of Barnabas. Ananias and Sapphira decided that they would like to have the people think they were as spiritual as Barnabas, so, they hatched a plot. They agreed to sell their property and simply pretend they were giving all they had received from it to the church when they were only giving part of it (vv. 1-4). This act was judged harshly because dishonesty, greed and covetousness are destructive in a church, preventing the Holy Spirit from working effectively (vv. 5-10).

This story demonstrates the honesty of the Bible. It might well have been left out as it reveals the imperfection of the early church. The Bible, however, refuses to present an idealized picture of anything. It is one of the great virtues of the Bible that it shows us its heroes, warts and all. Their sin of hypocrisy was motivated by pride, a sin that God especially hates and judges (Prov. 8:13). If we are more concerned about our reputation than our character, there is no end to what we will do to make ourselves “look good” before others.

Ananias and Sapphira did not need to sell their property. After they sold it, they did not need to bring any of the proceeds to the church. They pretended to be more devoted to Christ than they were, and they were judged for their deceit. God judges all sin, but not always in the same manner. His judgement on Ananias and Sapphira produced shock waves among the believers, making them realize how seriously God regards sin in their lives (v. 11). There is no substitute for personal purity, and there is a price to pay if we don’t remain pure.

Application

It is easy for me to condemn Ananias and Sapphira, but I need to look at my own life to see if my witness is backed up by my practice. Do I mean the songs I sing, or everything I pray in public? (Matthew 15:8).

Acts 5:1-11 (English Standard Version)

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