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Sin is Costly
The account of Ananias and Sapphira seems almost antithetic to the gospel story which is unfolding in and around Jerusalem (Acts 5.1-11f). Jesus has been raised and has ascended. The Holy Spirit has inspired the apostles so that they might testify to the identity and offer of Jesus and do so with power. People are being saved from their sins. The apostles are performing wonderful miracles, healing disease and casting out demons (v.16) - not only illustrating God’s authority in their words, but doing good in the process. Thousands are responding to the good news, and the city seems astir with enthusiasm, to the point that the guilty religious leaders are anxious (v.28). God was doing great things in Jerusalem.
And then He killed Ananias and Sapphira.
God killing people doesn’t exactly fit the modern narrative of “all grace/no judgment” theology. But there are some important principles being established in these events - principles that are as important today as they were then. While I don’t know all that God intends us to appreciate here, there are some obvious lessons. Such as...
God sees all. God sees what we do. God sees our heart. God knows when we lie; when we act out of greed and self-promotion, when we effort to deceive others. Repentance is a vital part of the gospel call, and God knows when our “change of heart” is sincere, and when it's not.
Christianity is not a vehicle for self-glory. In the context, Christians are sacrificing what they have in order to help their brethren (Acts 4.34-37). Some were recognized for the good that they were doing (Barnabas is noted - probably because he will become a significant figure in the ongoing account in Acts). But that does not argue that they were just out to make a name for themselves. Ananias and Sapphira, on the other hand, misrepresent their gift. And while we are not told that they did it for the recognition, such seems a legitimate conclusion. Many people since that day have used God’s work for their own ends. He has not struck them down. But He will judge them eventually.
Sin is costly, and some sins carry the consequence of finality. Ananias and Sapphira are killed in their sin. They had no time to repent and thus died in a state of condemnation. God knew their heart. God took their life. He has that right, and we have no right to question such. It is a scary thought that I might die in such a state. There is great incentive here to self-examination and correction.
God is active in this world; in the gospel; in the lives of His people; in the lives of those who are not His people. It may not be so obvious in our day as it is in this narrative. But then, that’s the point of the narrative...
“So then great fear came upon all the church, and upon all who heard these things”
Acts 5.11
That ought to be my response as well.
