Ananias and Sapphira weren't struck dead for giving too little. They were judged for performing a faith they hadn't actually taken on. Here's what the text actually says.
Thank you for this. How foolish we are when we think the Lord can't see everything, even right into our hearts. I love that the message for us is not condemnation but grace: grace for growing into that Light.
Thanks for this, Diane! It's a really helpful reading in context. It also reminds me of Luke's emphasis on the gospel as good news for the poor and oppressed. Thus, Ananias and Sapphira looked like they were participating in this aspect of the kingdom, but it was performative provision rather than giving out of love. Thanks for your excellent work on this!
Great thoughts and insights. I really appreciate the connection to Achan. An interesting contrast: Achan’s devoting of everything was commanded by God where Ananias and Saphira’s was wholly voluntary. Achan’s potential gain was strictly material: he wanted to keep some nice shiny things. Ananias and Saphira’s was partially material, but primarily social: they wanted to look good in the eyes of the community.
It seems to me that the sin of the later was far more grievous than that of the former.
Yes! They failed to follow His one command: love one another as I have loved you. John 17 He prays “that they may be One as We are One…”. They were living selfishly rather than in Unity. Wonderful point about how those around them were to see the believing community living as one!! Yes. Exactly.
The sin was never the amount. The sin was the lie. They performed a generosity they didn’t actually have so they could receive an honor they hadn’t actually earned.
I must have lucked out to have SS teachers who chose having their students ponder what sin A & S committed in newly formed church. During my late 20s I parted ways with the small conservative, evangelistic denomination I grew up in & was ordained in. Perhaps the way Acts 5:1-11 was presented is representative of why I won't disparage my spiritual forebears. My faith in Christ may look different than theirs. I recognize however the part they played in my growth & Christian pilgrimage. Btw I was intrigued by story of Ananias & Saphirra story bc a drastic fear tactic was used to encourage always telling the truth. Made being grounded at home for lying look like easy street.
I've just been taken back to this by the Lord ad I search for an answer to a pastoral dilemma thank you
Such an insightful article. I'm blessed by it and thank you for sharing it.
Thank you!!
Excellent
Excellent
This good. It brings a heart check.
Thank you for this. How foolish we are when we think the Lord can't see everything, even right into our hearts. I love that the message for us is not condemnation but grace: grace for growing into that Light.
Thanks for this, Diane! It's a really helpful reading in context. It also reminds me of Luke's emphasis on the gospel as good news for the poor and oppressed. Thus, Ananias and Sapphira looked like they were participating in this aspect of the kingdom, but it was performative provision rather than giving out of love. Thanks for your excellent work on this!
More general context: the congregation had been told that Jerusalem would be destroyed within that generation. Some sold up early.
Great thoughts and insights. I really appreciate the connection to Achan. An interesting contrast: Achan’s devoting of everything was commanded by God where Ananias and Saphira’s was wholly voluntary. Achan’s potential gain was strictly material: he wanted to keep some nice shiny things. Ananias and Saphira’s was partially material, but primarily social: they wanted to look good in the eyes of the community.
It seems to me that the sin of the later was far more grievous than that of the former.
This is fantastic, thank you.
Thank you Tyler!
No matter how nuanced you want to get with the reason, God struck them dead?! It’s hard to wiggle out of that statement!
Yes! They failed to follow His one command: love one another as I have loved you. John 17 He prays “that they may be One as We are One…”. They were living selfishly rather than in Unity. Wonderful point about how those around them were to see the believing community living as one!! Yes. Exactly.
Thanks for sharing this. I love this line:
The sin was never the amount. The sin was the lie. They performed a generosity they didn’t actually have so they could receive an honor they hadn’t actually earned.
Keep writing.
Thank you so much!
I must have lucked out to have SS teachers who chose having their students ponder what sin A & S committed in newly formed church. During my late 20s I parted ways with the small conservative, evangelistic denomination I grew up in & was ordained in. Perhaps the way Acts 5:1-11 was presented is representative of why I won't disparage my spiritual forebears. My faith in Christ may look different than theirs. I recognize however the part they played in my growth & Christian pilgrimage. Btw I was intrigued by story of Ananias & Saphirra story bc a drastic fear tactic was used to encourage always telling the truth. Made being grounded at home for lying look like easy street.
It's great that you had SS teachers that encouraged that!
Amazes me that in that denomination I had pastor who didn't discourage questioning. Didn't freak out or disown me when I became anabaptist.
This was GOOD! 🤍 I love how this was broken down
Thank you for this insightful perspective on an interesting—and admittedly a bit jarring—story, especially for a six-year-old!