I stumbled upon Acts 5:1-11. It's a frightful story. In it, there's a couple who decide to sell their property (much like Barnabas two verses before) and give some of the earnings to the Church. Now, for us today, that seems like an honourable thing to do! In the consumerist world we live in, how many people would consider selling their property in order to bless a congregation with it (especially if your home is in Vancouver!)?
But as we read this story, we don't find Ananias and Sapphira blessed. In fact, they die! Let's back up a bit. So they present the money before the apostles, but keep back some of money for themselves - seems like a decent thing to do; it is their home after all. By the sound of it, they didn't keep much. Yet, when they present it, Peter asks why they would do such a thing. Ananias drops dead, and later his wife does too.
Before we become too sympathetic for the couple we should take some time to read between the lines. In Acts 4:36-37 we read of Barnabas who sold a field he owned and brought the money - all of it - to the apostle's feet. These two very different stories have little to do with the amount given, but rather the reason why the gifts are given. Barnabas gave out of complete sacrifice for the good of the community. He was entrusting himself into God's care in order to care for others.
The difference we see in Ananias and Sapphira is that by keeping some of the money for themselves, one could interpret their motives as self-centred. They were giving so as to be seen in the same godly light as Barbabas. They wanted the status - to be seen as godly people. They may have loved the church, but they first loved themselves. They didn't entrust their lives into God's care; they kept some for themselves, to ensure they'd have something to fall back on. This is what one of my professors would call "Functional Atheism." They took control - not leaving room for God's provision or care. They also found their identity in being a good, holy, and righteous couple - not in God, as children of God.
I don't know about you, but I'm guilty of the same sin as Ananias and Sapphira. I've refused to surrender control over to God. I've placed my identity in many other things, apart from God. And in all these moments, the final destination is death. Not that God would strike me down right then and there, but it means that in pursuing ________, I'm not pursing God, who fills us with true life. If we're not letting God fill us with true life, then we might as well be dead.
