Ananias and Sapphira

The early church was living differently.

People were selling property and laying the money at the apostles' feet.

No one was claiming private ownership of anything.

Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of land.

They kept back part of the proceeds.

They brought the rest to the apostles as if it were the whole amount.

Peter asked Ananias: Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?

He said: While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own?

And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal?

Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart?

You have not lied to man but to God.

When Ananias heard these words he fell down and died.

Great fear came on all who heard it.

Young men wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in.

She did not know what had happened.

Peter asked her: Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.

She said yes. That was the price.

He said: How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?

The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door.

They will carry you out also.

Immediately she fell down at his feet and died.

They buried her beside her husband.

Peter had said they didn't have to give anything.

No one was required.

They could have kept the land. Could have kept all the money.

What they couldn't do — what they did anyway — was lie about it.

They wanted the credit for generosity they hadn't given.

The appearance without the reality.

And they died for it.

Not for keeping money.

For pretending.

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