Key figures in Acts.
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira,
sold a piece of property.
2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge,
and brought a portion of it
and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 “Ananias,” Peter asked,
“why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit
and keep back part of the proceeds of the land?
4 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.”
5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead,
and a great fear came on all who heard.
6 The young men got up, wrapped his body,
carried him out, and buried him.
carefully examine their motives when giving.
note similarities and differences in how Luke described Barnabas’s action
and the actions of Ananias and Sapphira.
Barnabas, Ananias and Sapphira sold some property.
The Greek wording means to set something apart, but it also carries a sense of dishonesty. The meaning is related to robbery or taking something for one’s own benefit.
Highlight the questions Peter asked Ananias.
Satan
Rather than being motivated by love or compassion,
Ananias was allowing Satan to guide his thoughts and actions.
Satan has always been a liar, and Jesus called him the “father of lies”
(John 8:44).
Ananias and Sapphira had allowed the enemy to fill their hearts
instead of making room for the work of the Holy Spirit.
It is interesting that Peter was the one who called Ananias out on this sin.
Jesus had once chastised Peter for serving the purposes of Satan instead of God
(Matt. 16:23).
So, God killed Ananias on the spot,
which created a whole new level of respect for God inside and outside the church.
But Luke’s account didn’t end there.
Sapphira still had a chance to succeed where her husband had failed.