The Deadly Lie
What We Can Learn from Ananias and Sapphira’s Partial Gift
Talk about a harsh penalty!
Nowadays—depending on the severity and consequences of the lie—perjury under oath can earn you imprisonment, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record. But for the early Christian couple Ananias and Sapphira, their deceit cost them everything.
The two sold a piece of real estate with the intention of giving a portion to the church. However, they decided to tell a little fib. When they laid their partial gift at the apostles’ feet, they pretended it was the entire proceeds from the sale.
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
At that moment, she fell down at his feet and died.
What Are You Holding Back?
What’s the takeaway lesson here? Is it that as followers of Jesus, we’re expected to give away every dime to charity? I don’t think so.
Is it that telling a lie may result in being struck down dead? I hope not. (If so, I need to go change the weight listed on my driver’s license immediately.)
The real sin here was Ananias and Sapphira’s outright defiance to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and their attempt to deceive God himself. They pretended to be fully surrendered, when, in fact, they were set on maintaining control.
How many times are we tempted to do the same?
Whether out of greed, pride, or fear, we’re all prone to holding back. We know we should give God our whole hearts, but we end up portioning off the bigger chunk for ourselves. Sooner or later, that temptation filters down into how we spend our time, manage our finances, or even relate to the people around us.
When we don’t trust God with what we’ve been given, we forfeit grace, peace, joy and love, settling instead for bitterness, anxiety, sorrow and selfish manipulation. We may not be physically struck down, but in the absence of God’s presence, there’s death all around us—in our lives, in our relationships, and in our souls.
So what are you holding back? Today, you can make a full-hearted commitment to surrender and steward everything according to how God leads you. He is good—always!—and worthy of our trust.
After all, it’s not enough to surrender just a portion of our hearts to Christ. Jesus wants it all.
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This content is written as part of Generosity Today (2025, Issue 4).
