Ananias and Sapphira's Gift to the Early Church:

Acts 5:1-11.  The New Testament story of Ananias and Sapphira begins with a man named Barnabas who sold a piece of property and gave all of the proceeds to the early church in order to help the needy.  A short time later, Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.  Hoping to receive praise and accolades for their generosity, they presented the gift to the apostles, but did not reveal the fact that they kept some of the proceeds for themselves.  The Holy Ghost revealed to Peter their dishonesty and he replied,  “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? ”  Acts 5:3.  Ananias had deceived the church by not telling the whole truth.  The Lord struck Ananias and he fell down and died.  A few minutes later, Peter questioned Sapphira about the gift.  Her response was the same as her husband’s and she died the same way.

What prompted Ananias to lie against God?  Did he want praise?  Did he want to be granted a high post of leadership as a result of his gift?  Though his outward actions were noble, Ananias’ heart caused him to make a terrible mistake.  In his deceit, he tried to fool God.  Only Heavenly Father knows our heart and only one mistake is all that is needed to suffer his wrath.  “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10.  Though Ananias and Sapphira did all they could do, even giving a large portion of money to the church, it wasn’t good enough because of their deceit.