Acts 5:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God."

NIV: Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God."

NASB: While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.'

CSB: Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God."

NLT: The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!'

KJV: Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

NKJV: While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

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.

Acts 5:1–11 contains the unfortunate story of Ananias and Sapphira. While the story of Peter and John's arrest by the Sadducees shows the beginning of problems outside the church (Acts 4), the account of Ananias and Sapphira reveals issues inside the church. As people listen to the witness of the apostles and come to a saving faith in Jesus, they donate what they have so that everyone in the church has what they need (Acts 4:32–37). Ananias and Sapphira want to join the wave of altruism, but not completely. God loves generosity, but not shallow performances which attempts to make a fool of Him and His people.

The apostles continue to make hard decisions in the name of Jesus, both inside and outside the church. When Ananias and Sapphira lie to God, the Holy Spirit inspires Peter to pronounce God's judgment on them, protecting the church from the love of the world. Despite the Sanhedrin's watchful eye—and direct orders (Acts 4:17–18)—the apostles continue to preach and heal openly. The guards arrest the apostles, but the Sanhedrin settles for beating them instead of capital punishment. The apostles consider it an honor to suffer on behalf of their Savior.

In Acts 5, persecution from unbelievers begins to accelerate. The Sanhedrin has become aware the apostles teach that Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 4). Now, they start to push back in earnest, arresting and beating the apostles. Soon, a mob will kill Stephen, a deacon (Acts 7:54–60), and the Sanhedrin will empower Saul to run down and arrest any Jesus-follower he can find (Acts 8:1–3). The apostles will stay in Jerusalem. Other Jesus-followers will carry His offer of forgiveness and reconciliation with God into the Roman Empire and beyond. The apostles' faithfulness and submission to the Holy Spirit is why we have the gospel message today.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.