Lying To God

Lying to God

Q: What husband and wife pair both died after lying?

• a. Aquila and Priscilla
• b. Ananias and Sapphira
• c. Ahab and Jezebel

The early believers shared all they had. Many people sold houses or land and brought the money to the apostles to be used by anyone who needed it. No one was required to sell their property. The early believers wanted to share, and they did it out of love for God.

Ananias and Sapphira wanted to be thought of as generous givers. They sold their land, but they agreed to keep part of the money for themselves. Keeping some money for themselves was okay. But what wasn’t okay was that Ananias brought the money to the apostles and said it was the whole amount they had received.

Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” After Peter spoke, Ananias fell to the floor dead.

Three hours later Sapphira arrived and didn’t know what had happened to her husband. Peter told her the amount her husband said they’d gotten for the land and asked her if that was the correct amount. Sapphira, too, lied and then died. Everyone who heard about this was filled with fear because they realized how serious God is about sin.

For You

Ananias and Sapphira lied to look more generous and important than they were. God wants us to be honest and real. He doesn’t want us to give only to look important, but to give out of love.

Answer: b

There was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.   Acts 5:1-2

(The Whole Story: Acts 5:1-11)