Question:
Acts 5:1, 2 says, “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 the fourth verse says, “Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” In what way did they lie to God?
Answer:
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. In contrast, others had money and property of considerable value. In the latter part of chapter 4, the record says that they had all things in common. Those with possessions sold them and put the proceeds into the common fund; from this, distribution was made to those in need. The instance is cited of Joses, who sold his property and brought the money to the apostles. Two others, Ananias and Sapphira, under the influence of the Spirit, pledged the proceeds from the sale of certain property. Later, they allowed a spirit of covetousness to come into their hearts and concluded that they had been too hasty in making such a significant 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, yet not wanting 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 provide the total amount.
In telling Peter they had given the total amount they had received, they deliberately lied to the Holy Spirit. As Peter said, it was true that the property was their own, and they were not obliged to give it up — they had pledged of 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. God entrusts men with property, and He does this so 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 specific portion, a tenth, as His own, and aside from this, He asks that men give freewill offerings to aid in the propagation of His work on the earth.
When a man has pledged to God, he should consider it his highest duty to fulfill it. God’s Word warns us to beware of covetousness, which is idolatry (See Colossians 3:5).
