What does Acts 5:4 mean?

The church in Jerusalem is inundated with people from other areas who do not have access to their assets. There are no remote banks, ATMs, or wire services in the first century. Those who are local sell property to provide for the needs of thew poor. A man named Ananias has dedicated the full proceeds of a piece of land to the church. In the end, he dishonestly keeps some of the money, effectively embezzling what is rightfully God's.

At this stage, the majority of Christians are Jews or Jewish converts. They still go to the temple (Acts 3:1) and observe Jewish traditions. Presumably, they still follow the Mosaic law's requirements of sacrifices and tithing to the priests and Levites. In addition, they voluntarily give of their own possessions to support the travelers who came to Jerusalem for Pentecost and stayed after becoming Christians (Acts 2:44–45; 4:32, 34–35). Just like circumcision and feast days, tithing is not and has never been required for Christians. Tithing was a rule given to Israel to support the temple, the priests, and the Levites.

The early church shows how Christian giving is more radical. First, Christians are to give cheerfully and as they feel is appropriate in their heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). Second, we are not necessarily to dedicate ten percent of our income, we are to dedicate everything we have—even ourselves "as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is [our] spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1).

Even so, like Ananias and Sapphira, what we own is ours. We should not use the worshipful act of giving to impress others or to try to win favor with God. Selfish intent makes what ought to be good into an act of pride.