Every committed sin is not only a fault, but also an offense against the law. And every offense is not only an inadvertency, but also a direct transgression against the glory of God. He who compares his personal behavior with others’ behavior judges himself superficially and humanly. He forgives himself by saying: “We are all weak.” He who knows God, however, and lives in the power of the Holy Spirit, knows that each sin, whether small or big, deserves immediate death. The account of Ananias and Sapphira is also our account. It shows how God has the right to consume even believers.
You may ask: “Why does the holy God endure us, and not destroy us immediately, as he did Ananias, who did, in fact, come boldly to at least contribute a large part of his possessions? We do not know the mysteries of God’s judgment. In verse 2, however, we read that the couple did not sin carelessly, but premeditatedly attempted to deceive the apostles. They did not believe that the Almighty was present in Peter. The Holy One, however, lives in His believers, and knows their hearts.
The couple had probably attempted to secure the future of their family by means of money. Though the name “Ananias” signifies “God is gracious” they did not trust God alone. They tried to serve two masters, which was impossible. In the end, they loved money more than the Creator.
Ananias and his wife were not obligated to sacrifice all their property for the church, for contributions were voluntary. Some kept a portion of their money for themselves and spoke of that publicly and unequivocally. In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, however, they both pretended godliness, thinking they could gain a higher name and standing in the church. They hoped for acknowledgement in the church by appearing to have given their all, while, in fact, they had really given but a part. Ananias came to the meeting under the pretence of piety and devotion. He proceeded to the apostles’ pulpit and contributed his money. He acted as if he was entirely free from the hold of money, as if he was offering himself as a complete sacrifice to God. In fact, he had hidden a part of the money for himself. Jesus calls such behavior “hypocrisy”, which is the most heinous sin in the church. It comes directly from Satan, the father of lies.
We are all hypocrites, for we know many of our committed sins, yet pretend to be the best people in the world. Though our consciences have evidently recorded our lies, impurities, embezzlements, tale-bearings, and lusts, we expect our families, society, and church to praise us, and regard us as perfect, upright, and acceptable. We all walk about like proud peacocks, while in truth we are tombs filled with deadly poison. Have you, dear brother, realized your true self in the light of God’s judgment?
Ananias and his wife Sapphira (meaning “beautiful”) not only chose money over God, they also played the hypocrite, as all men do. They gradually withdrew further and further from the line of grace in Christ. The devil filled their hearts, just as he had done with Judas. He who loves money flees by-and-by to the devil’s front. Under these circumstances they became a danger to the church. The evil one was attempting to secretly infiltrate his vile principles, such as envy, stinginess, pride, and lying into the kingdom of God. Up until that time the communion of the saints had been of one heart and one soul. Everyone submitted to everyone, and lived from the providence of their heavenly Father. They offered themselves to God as a living sacrifice, filled with the Holy Spirit.
With this great authority Christ’s body on earth had the ability to resist the devils’ temptation. Through the gift of discerning spirits, Peter immediately foresaw Ananias’ lie. He removed the veil from his face, and called his deception lying to the Holy Spirit, which is lying to God Himself. Ananias had previously experienced the innermost salvation of Christ. He gradually fell, however, into sinning against the Holy Spirit.
This divine Spirit confirmed the apostle’s words and immediately brought God’s tempter to death. Such being the case, the Spirit of truth did not forgive the offence through the apostle’s words, but condemned the unrepentant sinner. Our God is not only love, He is also holy. He loves forgiveness. Yet he who hardens himself against the voice of truth and shuts his heart against divine love becomes an evil devil in himself. No mercy is shown to him.
The first church lived near to God. In the midst of it God swiftly condemned the apostate’s engagement with Satan. This judgment was but a fulfillment of the essential truth that the wages of sin is death.