Bible Discussion Thread

The story of Ananias and Saphira has always upset me, every time I read it. It seems to me that what they did was a very human thing, and certainly it was a sin; but the other people were giving everything they had, so it would have been embarrassing to admit that this was only a part of the sale price that they were bringing. It seems to me like a very harsh punishment. I'm crying!

Joan, I think you've missed a very important part of this very sad account. So please don't be in tears about it. What happened in this account was that Ananias & Sapphira had conspired between themselves to declare to the apostles & believers that the money they were bringing as a gift was the full price of the sale of their land. This collection of monies (from Chapter 4:34), was being made for the poor believers in their midst. So people sold some of their possessions & brought in their money. However, Ananias & Sapphira, brought in only a part of their sale price but declared it as the full price - in other words they lied, & as Peter said, that they lied to the Holy Spirit.

So, this type of sin may be a 'human thing', but should never be seen or heard of amongst believers. It was absolutely nothing wrong if they said: "our sincere apologies folks, but we can't donate the full amount of the sale of our land since we need some of it for ourselves, but please accept this portion of that amount". Had they said this, all would have been well for them & the believers would have been blessed for their honesty. But, sadly, they chose to lie, & may have done so to 'save face' & appear to others as being as generous as everyone else.

Does this happen today? Of course, lies are prolific for all sorts of reasons, but to appear as someone better than others (i.e. to be admired or taken notice of), is this Christ's Spirit working in us or are we behaving in the 'flesh' & doing the works of Satan? I have heard, even from so-called Christians, that it is okay to tell a 'white lie' if it will help in some way. I'm sure you won't agree with this, as unbelievers, right from the top echelons of government to the lowliest impoverished street sleeper, freely engage in all manner of lying. The Lord sees & hears every word that we speak & knows every intent of the heart. For purity sake, Ananias & Sapphira were punished that the Church might learn the hard way.