Let’s face it – it would be easy for cult leaders and preachers of the health-and-wealth gospel alike to use the story of Ananias and Sapphira to wring more money out of their frightened followers: “If you don’t give all your money to God – and especially to my ministry – you’re gonna die!” On the other hand, the so-called Evangelical Left might point to this passage to justify their fascination with socialism – for didn’t the early disciples have “everything in common” (4:32)?

But both the “name-it-and-claim-it” types and the Christian communists would do well to listen more carefully to what Peter says: “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal” (5:4)? For the fact is that the Scriptures consistently uphold individuals’ rights to own property, along with our responsibility to be wise and generous stewards of it – after all, “Thou shalt not steal” could not belong in the Ten Commandments if private property did not exist.

So, why did God judge both Ananias and Sapphira worthy of death? Because they tried to lie to the Holy Spirit (5:3-4). By selling a piece of land but lying about the price, they hoped to make themselves look better in the eyes of the Church while still keeping part of the proceeds for themselves. In other words, they wanted everyone to think they were completely sold out for God and for their Christian brothers and sisters, all the while remaining focused on their own wants and desires. And they thought they could hide such a two-faced life even from God Himself.

So, what about us? Yes, we are saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, but we are saved in order that we might devote ourselves to the glory of God alone. And that means truly following the example of Christ, Who completely abandoned Himself to the will of His Father, giving up everything for us, even His own life.

So, when you get right down to it, God calls all His people to something much harder than giving all our stuff to the Church or the government, and trusting those big organizations to proclaim the gospel or feed the poor. No, if we would follow Jesus, we must follow Him ourselves, not just pretending to put Him first in our lives, but really devoting all our time, talent and treasure to the glory of God and the good of others. For there’s really no better way to bear consistent witness to His resurrection (4:13) than to live out that sort of resurrection life in the sight of a self-centered world.

Acts 4:32-5:11 (ESV)

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold
35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,
37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
4 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.”
5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.