Ananias and Sapphira

00:00:00 Speaker 1: So that your giving may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6.4 Gracious Father, we thank you for seeing our hearts and knowing our motives. We ask for humility, Lord, that we may give generously without seeking the recognition of others. Help us to remember that our reward is not in the praise of man, but in your approval. alone. Teach us to give faithfully and quietly, trusting that you see what is done in secret. May we be content with your acknowledgement, finding joy in serving others out of love for you. Keep our hearts pure, focused on your glory and not our own. Strengthen us to remain faithful in our giving. even when no one else sees. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for another dramatized story inspired by the book of Acts and the birth of the church. If this podcast has blessed you, make sure to follow so you never have to miss an episode. Ananias made his way tiresomely down the darkened street. He had taken longer closing up his shop than he would have liked, and the price to pay was smelling warm cooked meals through lighted windows while his stomach growled with hunger. Ananias grumbled mindlessly to himself in cold bitterness. 00:01:45 Speaker 2: All these people enjoying their lives, and I'm always working with the short end of the stick. 00:01:51 Speaker 1: He was suddenly drawn from his complaining. When he heard a loud thud, he turned and squinted down the lane. He could make out a dozen or so figures standing out front of a house. He bent his ear to listen in. If he had to endure the late walk, he might as well do so with the enjoyment he found in eavesdropping. 00:02:13 Speaker 3: I went to the market today to sell one of my fields. You see, the Lord has graced me with more than I need. The fruit of my other fields alone will continue to feed those who hunger. I hope that the money this field has brought will be able to bless the people of God in an even greater way. I would have given it at the gathering today, but I thought it best to wait, considering the amount. 00:02:37 Speaker 1: Ananias recognized Barnabas' voice. Not only did they own land near one another, but both had become followers of Jesus since the resurrection. Ananias stepped behind the corner of a nearby house, cautiously peering around the edge. 00:02:53 Speaker 4: May the world know of the goodness of God demonstrated to you today, Barnabas. The Lord will use what you've done in secret to glorify himself in the light. 00:03:04 Speaker 1: As the men entered the house, Ananias pressed the small of his back against the wall with a heavy sigh. He pounded it with the heel of his fist. 00:03:14 Speaker 2: One day, I'll have the recognition I deserve. 00:03:22 Speaker 5: What's the cost of pretending? What are the ripple effects of our fake faith? Make no mistake, friends, a fake faith can cause some serious damage to you and to God's people. Welcome to The Jesus Podcast, a year of stories showcasing the depth of Christ's love and the glory of his spirit. We've been going through a mini-series on the birth of the church, showcasing that the power and work of Christ lives on through his followers. Take a moment to follow on whatever platform you're listening to so you never have to miss an episode. Today we're diving into one of the more shocking stories in the book of Acts. Today's episode is inspired by Acts 5, 1-16, and it introduces us to a couple who wanted to make a name for themselves in the early church, but ended up as a cautionary tale. Their names? Ananias and Sapphira. The story of their deceit reminds us that while we can fool people, we can never fool God. 00:04:18 Speaker 1: Back at home, Ananias sat at his table. He swirled a cup of wine around in his hand, like a fortune teller trying to see the future in the circular wavelets. His wife, Sapphira, busily scurried around the kitchen, fixing him a plate of lukewarm food. 00:04:35 Speaker 2: It's just not fair, Sapphira. Barnabas has all this wealth, so of course he can afford the praise. Where does that leave the rest of us? To scurry under the feet of the apostles for table scraps? 00:04:49 Speaker 1: Ananias held nothing back. If asked, he would have blamed his lack of control on the tiredness from the day. But his heart knew he would feel the same emotions in the morning, after a heavy night of sleep. The sourness from years of self-loathing and envy had corrupted away at his heart. Regardless of whether his feelings were right or wrong, he felt a sense of security sharing it with his wife. Sapphira was faithful to a fault and would follow Ananias to the ends of the earth. She had fallen deeply in love with him at a young age, and the years together only fortified her affection for her husband. 00:05:33 Speaker 6: You're absolutely right, dear. You work just as hard as Barnabas, if not harder, for I've heard he can afford help this year. 00:05:42 Speaker 1: Ananias grunted with a judgmental nod of his head. 00:05:46 Speaker 2: But have some food. 00:05:47 Speaker 6: I'm sure you're hungry. 00:05:49 Speaker 2: Try to relax. 00:05:50 Speaker 6: Things will turn for the better. 00:05:52 Speaker 1: Sapphira carefully laid a plate of homemade rosemary bread, olives, and grapes before her husband. He thanked her as he looked up into her eyes. He could see that she was just as worn out as he was, yet her eyes still glowed with the vibrancy of a youthful soul. When she stepped away, Ananias pushed around the food on his plate. But satiating his hunger was going to have to wait, for a deeper desire burned within him. 00:06:23 Speaker 2: You know, my love, I've been thinking, thinking about what you were saying, about things turning out for the better. I believe I have a way to help us. 00:06:32 Speaker 1: Zephi returned with an inquisitive look. Ever since they had devoted themselves to the teachings of Jesus, she struggled to think about herself. 00:06:42 Speaker 2: Well, us and the believers, of course. A mutually beneficial plan, if you will. You know our field, the one that's dried up as of late? Perhaps it would be better if we rid ourselves of the burden. We can give some of the proceeds to the apostles, and keep some for ourselves, of course. The apostles need not know that last. 00:07:03 Speaker 3: Part, though. 00:07:04 Speaker 1: Sapphira questioned Ananias' words silently in her mind. She could feel a subtle prodding within her that caused her to struggle with the idea. Though Ananias didn't say it explicitly, he fully intended to deceive the apostles. She knew what he was saying was wrong. But her love for Ananias caused her to mistakenly take her duties as an encouraging wife to mean disrespecting the spirit. His prompts to oppose the plan would possibly upset her husband further. And this was the gateway to her flesh playing the part of opposing counsel. She began to convince herself that the plan wasn't entirely wrong. What harm could come from seeking a little recognition if the church still received support? As she thought through Ananias' plan, She allowed herself to admit the weight of life she had started to feel. It was the first time in a long time. Her shoulders slumped forward. Perhaps this was how God would allow them a chance at a fresh start. 00:08:17 Speaker 6: You are crafty, my love, with a sharp mind. Do as you see fit and I will follow up with you accordingly. I trust you. 00:08:26 Speaker 1: Sapphira stared into the flame of the rusted lamp in the kitchen. She held her hand up to it, feeling its small, radiating warmth. She pressed her fingers closer, allowing the dancing flame to tap her fingertips. She winced in pain as she drew her hand back swiftly. She pondered the duality of its nature to both comfort and harm. In its right place, it gave light to the whole house, but uncontained, it would burn the entire house without a consideration. for what laid in its path. Near the end of the week, some believers gathered to listen to the apostles' teaching, pray, and worship together. The sound of hundreds of voices lifting the name of the Lord high in praises rang through the streets and up to the heavens. People working their way up and down the street would regularly stop and listen in. On many occasions, they would find themselves staying longer than they intended, Something in the depths of their soul would cry out in satisfaction at the words of Jesus' gospel. And hearing the simplicity of receiving the grace of Jesus through his scandalous rescue plan, they would give their hearts to the Lord and join the people of the way. And Ananias wriggled through the people, his eyes set on the apostles at the center of the congregation. He had arrived from the marketplace and carried two coin purse. one in each hand. He passed the two bags between his left and right hands before slipping the larger of the bags into his satchel. He found Sapphira near the front rows, just as John began addressing the crowds. 00:10:14 Speaker 4: Brothers and sisters, people of the way!' Blessed be the Lord our God, King of the universe, who provides for our needs. He is exceedingly grateful for your cheerful giving, and we are humbled to distribute his provision to the needy. 00:10:32 Speaker 1: This was the perfect opportunity, Ananias thought to himself. 00:10:36 Speaker 4: Today we have wonderful news. Last week, a believer among you sold a large piece of property, and they have chosen from the goodness of their hearts to give all the money they have earned from it to the Lord and his people. But they have asked that the left hand not know the works of the right, and they will therefore remain anonymous. But the Lord knows when you give in secret, and he will reward you openly as he sees fit. 00:11:06 Speaker 1: Ananias' eyes turned to slits as his nostrils flared. A white fury raged within him as he realized Barnabas' humility had slung an army of arrows into his plan. He had mistakenly assumed John's note of God being glorified in the light was a hint at publicly acknowledging Barnabas by name. Never had he considered Barnabas' delicate choice for anonymity to be set in stone along with his gift. He calculated his options. 00:11:39 Speaker 3: Perhaps. 00:11:40 Speaker 1: There was still hope for recognition for his good deeds. Even if he had to work the system, he waited until the gathering ended before sharing it with Sapphira. 00:11:51 Speaker 2: I shall follow them home, just as Barnabas must have. There I will present them. 00:11:55 Speaker 4: With our offering. 00:11:57 Speaker 2: Then they will acknowledge us before the gathering, just like with Barnabas today. 00:12:01 Speaker 1: Sapphira gave a sullen nod, a mark of her inward wrestling. 00:12:06 Speaker 6: Lead the way, then. 00:12:07 Speaker 1: As the people began to scatter... Ananias slithered behind the apostles as they made their way home. He mimed everything he had seen and heard the night he had stumbled upon Barnabas and the apostles. 00:12:20 Speaker 2: Excuse me, apostles, wait! 00:12:23 Speaker 1: Ananias sped into a light jog. He could hear the coins jingling in the bag at his side. He firmly placed one hand over the bag to silence them as he lifted the other coin purse high into the air. A triumphant display. of his deceitful generosity. 00:12:43 Speaker 7: Ananias, how splendid to see you. How are you in Sephara? 00:12:49 Speaker 2: We are quite well, brother Peter. In fact, we are splendid, for the Lord has been gracious with us, and we'd like to share our good fortune. 00:12:58 Speaker 1: Ananias dropped the coins on the ground and took a knee. He pressed his face low as his eyes flitted about in anticipation. 00:13:08 Speaker 3: Oh, a gift. 00:13:10 Speaker 4: How marvelous. 00:13:12 Speaker 7: Please, tell us how the Lord has placed such generosity on your heart. 00:13:18 Speaker 2: Well, you see, my wife and I have a field. That is to say, we had a field. We sold it so we might give the full earnings to the. 00:13:26 Speaker 3: People of the way. 00:13:27 Speaker 1: Peter noted the familiarity of Ananias' newfound wealth, quickly connecting the dots to John's interactions with Barnabas. The spirit whirred around Peter's mind like a watchman's trumpet. sounding at the sight of the enemy. Peter was washed over with supernatural clarity, as Ananias' dark deeds were being revealed to him through the Spirit's divine revelations. Righteous anger swept over the apostle, like the Red Seas closing over the Egyptians. 00:14:00 Speaker 7: Ananias, how have you allowed Satan to fill your heart? You have lied to the Holy Spirit! For you have indeed kept some of the money you received for the land for yourself. 00:14:12 Speaker 1: Ananias quaked as fear sunk its claws into his heart. He had been caught and he could feel the color draining from his face and any hope of being praised. He dug through his thoughts to find an excuse that might dampen the blow to his pride. But nothing came. Peter began to reason with the lost disciples. 00:14:35 Speaker 7: Didn't the land belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money yours to use as you pleased? 00:14:43 Speaker 2: What made you think of doing such a thing? I, well, I thought maybe I... it was. 00:14:49 Speaker 1: Ananias stammered incoherently. Peter's voice struck his soul like falling oak trees splintering against the forest floor. Ananias felt himself sweating. as a harsh, heated wind spiraled around him. 00:15:05 Speaker 7: You have not just lied to mankind, but to God. 00:15:09 Speaker 1: At these final words, Ananias grasped at his chest in agony. The man cried out in anguish before lifelessly dropping to the ground below. The other disciples gasped at the suddenness of what they had witnessed. But each one knew it was undeniably the Spirit, protecting the people of God from the cunning serpent of old. He had lured Ananias into perverting the good things of life for personal gain, but had been thwarted yet again. Peter whispered to Andrew, who ran down the street. A few minutes later, Andrew returned with several other men. The men carefully wrapped Ananias in a sackcloth and hoisted his body up. Though he had left the world in shame, they would respectfully bury him, guarding their own hearts against the same bitterness that had consumed Ananias in life. Hours passed along sluggishly as Sapphira worried in an empty home. She watched the late afternoon shadows stretch slowly into the evening, Ananias had been gone far longer than she. 00:16:24 Speaker 3: Would have expected. 00:16:26 Speaker 1: If the apostles had invited him in, as they had with Barnabas, wouldn't he have called for her to join? Or worse, had something gone wrong? She shuffled to her seat. No harm could come from checking on her husband, she thought to herself. She anxiously strode along the winding streets of the neighborhood. All she could think about was the well-being of her husband. She had worked hard to provide a stable life for them, and she desperately wanted him to find some reprieve from his weariness in their recognition of the apostles. She found the house where the apostles stayed and gently knocked on the door. She peered through the window as a slight breeze brushed the curtain back slightly. She noticed a dozen men huddled around a table. They were in concentrated discussions with one another. Her head whipped back forward as the door opened slowly. Matthias poked his face out. Matthias sheepishly called for Peter while pushing the door wider. 00:17:32 Speaker 4: Peter, she's here. 00:17:34 Speaker 1: Peter rose to his feet slowly. The creaking of his chair emphasized the silence of the rest of the room. 00:17:43 Speaker 7: Thank you, Matthias. Good evening, Sapphira. We were expecting you. Please come in. 00:17:51 Speaker 1: Sapphira was surprised to hear that she was expected, as no word had been sent along to her. She stepped cautiously through the door. 00:18:00 Speaker 7: You. 00:18:01 Speaker 6: you were? 00:18:02 Speaker 3: Yes. 00:18:03 Speaker 7: Ananias was here not too long ago to share a gift with the believers. I assume you knew of this? 00:18:12 Speaker 1: Sapphira remained poised at the question. I see. 00:18:18 Speaker 7: Well then, perhaps you can confirm that this is the price Ananias received for the land? 00:18:25 Speaker 3: Yes. 00:18:26 Speaker 6: We discussed it beforehand. We prayed and sought the Lord. I fully supported Ananias in what he thought was best. 00:18:34 Speaker 1: Peter upended Ananias' coin purse into his hand. The truth was, Sapphira hadn't known the amount Ananias received for the land. But she remembered Ananias' plan to tell the apostle that his gift was the entirety of his profits. 00:18:50 Speaker 6: Yes, that is the amount. 00:18:52 Speaker 1: In an instant, the same rushing wind that had encircled Ananias swept around Sapphira. It rattled the house as floorboards creaked and dust fell through the ceiling above. Sapphira's sight left her as panic crept over her body. The hot whirlwind seemed to draw the air straight out of Sapphira's lungs. She gasped helplessly, clutching at the apostle's robes. Losing consciousness, Sapphira released her grip and slammed her hands against the ground, fighting for stability. In her blindness, she heard Peter's thunderous voice. 00:19:33 Speaker 7: How could you conspire together to test the spirit of the Lord? Listen. Listen. The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also. 00:19:46 Speaker 1: Just as her husband had, Sapphira's body fell motionless. to the dust from which it had come. The same men who had buried Ananias now came for the body of his conspirator. News of what happened took to the wind the next morning. By evening the next day, all the believers in Jerusalem were gripped with fear, not in fear of punishment, but in admiration for his holiness. They were in awe at the Lord's righteous judgment, devoted themselves steadfastly to his teaching, and purposed in their hearts to abide by his way of living. The Lord had dealt seriously with Ananias and Sapphira, and would not take such selfishness lightly. He needed his people to follow the lofty call of following him and the dire need to care for one another. They were a chosen people who were called to endeavor together to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. 00:21:01 Speaker 5: Our story today started on a high note, or so it seemed. Ananias and Sapphira, inspired by the generosity of Barnabas, sold a piece of property. Sounds great, right? But there's a twist. They kept back part of the money while pretending to give it all. Imagine them coming in, smiles on their faces, laying the money at the apostles' feet as if to say, look how generous we are. It's a classic case of keeping up with appearances. But the Holy Spirit is not one to be deceived. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, calls them out. Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart? To lie to the Holy Spirit. Notice Peter's words here. He doesn't say, why have you lied to us? Or, why have you lied to the church? He says, you've lied to the Holy Spirit. That's like trying to pull a fast one on someone who can see right through you. Peter also doesn't reprimand Ananias by saying, why didn't you give all the money? Because here's the thing. If they wanted to keep half the money for themselves and give half the money to the church, that would have been totally fine. It's the fact that they wanted the appearance of giving everything, but only giving half. Let's pause and consider all of this. Was their sin keeping a part of the money? Not at all. Peter makes it clear. While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? They were free to do what they wanted with the money. The sin wasn't in holding back, but in pretending to give it all. They wanted the reputation of being sacrificial without the actual sacrifice. They wanted the applause with none of the cost. And there's the rub, friends. Their sin wasn't stinginess, it was hypocrisy. How often do we fall into that same trap? We put on our Sunday best, not just in clothes, but in our spiritual lives. We might drop a Bible verse in conversation or post it on social media to sound holy, or talk about how we've been praying fervently for someone when, in reality, we're hitting the snooze button on our spiritual lives. We're so busy crafting a holy image that we forget holiness is an inside job. And then we get to the jaw-dropping part of the story. You see, this part makes me uncomfortable because I would have loved it if Ananias and Sapphira were just rebuked and then they repent and then everyone makes up. But that's not how the story goes. And honestly, this is a really weird and off-putting passage. Because this doesn't happen in any other parts of the book of Acts. We don't ever see someone in the New Testament being offed because of their disobedience. That seems more like an Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy type of thing to happen. You see, as soon as Peter confronts Ananias, he drops dead. Talk about a dramatic end to a church service. And just when you think it couldn't get any crazier, three hours later, Sapphira walks in completely unaware of what's happened. Peter gives her a chance to come clean, but she doubles down on the lie. And she also drops dead on the spot. Now, I can hear some of you thinking, wow, isn't that a bit harsh? But here's the thing. God's judgment here is not just about punishing a simple mistake. It's about protecting the integrity of the early church. This was a critical moment for the church and God had to set a clear standard. You cannot build God's kingdom on lies. The church was growing rapidly and God knew that unchecked hypocrisy could rot it from the inside out. And here's the thing. We've seen a lot of this in today's culture, haven't we? We've seen a pastor or a church leader's hypocrisy really blowing things up for other people's faith. How many of you have been in a church where the senior pastor has had an affair or there's been some serious money problems and dishonesty? These types of things cause rifts. This type of hypocrisy can really hurt the faith of people who have innocently come in yearning for connection, but end up really burned by these types of things. It's not that we have to be perfect, but we can't be hypocrites. And I think this passage is so intense as a warning sign for not only the early church, but for us today. You see, deceit and hypocrisy have large consequences. And we see a very appropriate response after this. What happens next after Ananias and Sapphira are buried? It says, Yeah, duh. Imagine if that happened in today's church. The lesson was very clear. God takes the purity of his church seriously. But notice what also happens. It says, and through the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders were done among the people. Purity leads to power. God's spirit moves mightily when his people are walking in integrity. The early church responded with awe and the community around them took notice. The result, more people believed and were added to their number. Here's the irony. The church grew, not despite the judgment, but because of it. There's a lesson here, folks. A church that pursues holiness, authentic, spirit-filled holiness, is a church where God's power is manifest. People are drawn to it. So what can we learn from Ananias and Sapphira? Be real with God and with each other. Don't settle for a facade of holiness when God is inviting you into the real thing. Let's be a church where authenticity reigns, where we're not afraid to be honest about our struggles, and where we trust God enough to believe he can do mighty things among us. May we have the courage to drop the masks, step into the light, And let God's spirit move among us with purity and power. Because when the church is real, God shows up in real ways.