When Giving Kills: The Strange Tale of Ananias and Sapphira
What a Shocking Bible Story Says About Grace, Honesty, and the Dangers of Pretending
Welcome to today’s reflection. The Book of Acts is often romanticised as the golden age of the Church, but some of its stories resist tidy lessons. This one, about honesty, community, and two people who drop dead during an offering, refuses to behave.
Today, I want to write about the strange case of Ananias and Sapphira. Have you heard of them? Their story is one of the most talked-about stories in the Bible, so I thought we would jump into it.
Let’s pick things up in the New Testament, at the tail end of Acts chapter 4. It’s the early days of the church, and the writer tells us:
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.”
That’s the tone. It’s communal. Radical generosity. Early Christians are selling houses and land, bringing the money to the apostles, and the leaders are distributing it to those in need. Think of it as a kind of economic utopia. Everyone’s needs are met, and nobody gets left behind. Not a tariff to be seen.
And then… enter Ananias. He and his wife Sapphira sell a piece of property. So far, so good. But Ananias, with Sapphira fully in the loop, keeps part of the money back for themselves. They then bring the rest to the church, pretending it’s the full amount. Big performance. Look at our generosity!
Peter, the leader, sees right through it. And he unloads:
“Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit…?”
He’s not done.
“You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
Then, an unexpected twist, Ananias falls down dead.
