The Bible shows us how to live according to God’s plan. It also shows people who did not love God and obey His will in their lives. That includes Cain who killed his brother [Genesis 4:1-8], Balaam who sought bribes [Numbers 22], Saul who preferred worldly prestige and riches to serving God [1 Samuel 15], Solomon who was deceived by the idolatry of his many wives [1 Kings 11:14], and Judas who betrayed his Master for worldly power and money [John 12:6].
This is also true when it comes to married couples in the Bible. We see great examples of married couples in the New Testament like Peter and his wife, Aquila and Priscilla, Philip with his family, and others. God also shows us what a godly marriage is not. That brings us to the story of Ananias and Sapphira.
Acts 4:34 and 35 shows that believers in the early church sold what they did not need to help those who did. The apostles were local leaders who had a scope of where these thousands of new believers [who had been saved on Pentecost] lacked. They helped believers who had sold lands and houses determine where to give. This record continues with two examples of attitude and proportion in giving. One shows what is right, and the other what is wrong.
Acts 4:36,37:
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Barnabas was a believer from Cyprus and of a Levitical background. He decided to dedicate his life in service to the church and sold all that he had. His loving attitude to give caused him to determine that his physical need would be met as he served in the church. That is why his proper proportion was to give all he had. God took care of Barnabas’s need as he ministered (Acts 9:27-31; 11:22-30; 12:25—15:35).
Acts 5:1-6:
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
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.
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?
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.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
Ananias and Sapphira, on the other hand, had the wrong attitude and proportion. They wanted others to think that they (like Barnabas) gave of all that they had. They wanted to appear to be dedicating their lives in service to the church. In reality, they were not committed to such full service, and kept back part of what they had received. There would have been nothing wrong with giving an honest proportion and keeping back what they needed. It was their deceit and trying to lie to God that brought such ruin upon them. Peter walked by the spirit of God, confronted Ananias, and his immense guilt brought about his death. Sadly, his wife had the same evil intent.
Acts 5:7-11:
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
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.
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.
And great fear [respect] came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
What a sad commentary on a married couple who did not have God at the center of their marriage. Worldly acclaim and wanting to “look good” to their community blinded their hearts. They thought that they could lie to God by deceiving His minister, Peter. As married couples, let’s keep true service at the forefront of our thoughts as we serve our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that our true rewards are eternal!
