ACTS 5:1-11

The below passage describes a husband and wife, who in order to look holy and righteous lied to Jehovah and Jehoshua through their Holy Spirit. It wasn't that they didn't give all their proceeds from the possession they sold but rather their deceitful lying in order to appear generous in the eyes of the assembly. Peter even states they had every right to do with the proceeds what they wanted, however they erred by plotting their scheme in order to make an outward appearance of charity. This can also be a cautionary tale that once we commit our service to Jehovah and Jehoshua, that we are not to default on that commitment. Once Ananias and Sapphira committed to give all their proceeds from the possession they sold, then they needed to keep that promise.

Another gem to gain from this passage is that a husband or a wife will not be held guiltless when covering up for their spouses sin. Too many times in Christendom, wives of sinning Pastor's are let off the hook when their husband fleeces the flock and love rich off the gospel. When these reprobate Pastor's get exposed, their wives are made into victims when all the while they enjoyed the fruits of their husbands greed and materialism. They purposely look the other just like a mafia wife. Peter would not hold them guiltless as Sapphira wasn't held guiltless for covering up her husband's iniquity. 

ACTS 5:1-11 (RSB)

 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

5:2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

5:4 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 Elohim.

5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the spirit: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

5:6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

5:7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

5:8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of Yahweh? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the spirit: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

5:11 And great fear came upon all the assembly, and upon as many as heard these things.