Acts 5:1

Acts 5:1 says, But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,  Verse two adds, 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.  Now, we learn of Ananias and Sapphira.  We are not told why they decided to sell their possession or land as we later learn, but we are told what they did after selling it.  They lied to the disciples and thereby tried to lie to God.  If there has ever been a time when we promised something to God and attempted to keep part of it for ourselves, then we are just as guilty.  Verse three continues, But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?  Peter asked Ananias why he allowed himself to be led by Satan to lie to the Holy Ghost.  Anytime we attempt to lie to God, we may have been led to do so by Satan, but he cannot make us do so.  Like Ananias, the responsibility is ultimately ours.  Verse four states, Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.   As the disciples pointed out to Ananias, the land was theirs, Sapphira’s and his, to do with as they pleased, so why did he lie to God.  God does not force us to give anything to Him, so why do we ever think we should lie about giving something to Him.  Verse fives adds, And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.  Ananias fell dead upon hearing the truth of what he had done, and a great fear came on those around him.  If people who lied to God were immediately found out and fell dead, it would likely make us afraid to do so.  Still, we should never lie to God not because we are afraid of what will happen if we do but because of love and gratitude for our salvation.  Verse six continues, And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.  Ananias was carried out by some young men and buried.  Verse seven says, And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.  About three hours after Ananias died and was buried Saphira returned, not knowing what had happened.  It may be hard for us to think about someone dying and being buried that quickly, but it did happen in those days.  Since she was a party to the lie, Saphira might have asked where Ananias was.  Verse eight adds, And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.  Peter gave Saphira a chance to tell the truth, but upon her return she continued to lie.  Once the truth has been discovered, we certainly should never continue to claim a lie as the truth.  Verse nine continues, Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.  Peter then asked her how she could have agreed to lie to the Holy Spirit and told her those that had buried her husband were just returning from doing so.  God’s judgment is not always this quick, but it is always this certain.  Verse ten states, Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.  Like Ananias, Saphira immediately fell dead and was taken out and buried.  One day, all who lie to God will be sent away into everlasting punishment.  Verse eleven adds, And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.  We are told a great fear came upon all the church and all that heard these things. Now some might ask why God was so upset when they were still giving Him something.  The problem wasn't the amount given but the lie about how much was given.  Lying to God brings dire consequences.  It is not about an amount, but about giving all we have promised.  We will not fool God, and He will hold us accountable.  Yes, our sins are forgiven, but our actions will bring consequences.  To take it a step further, if we promise to love as Christ loved, but hate our neighbor or our enemies, then we are lying to God.  Should we expect less punishment than Ananias and Sapphira?