Overview
Sapphira and her husband Ananias sold a piece of property but conspired together to misrepresent the sale price to the apostles, claiming to give the full amount while secretly keeping back a portion. When confronted by Peter about their deception, both Sapphira and Ananias were struck dead by God, serving as a sobering reminder of God's holiness and the seriousness of lying to the Holy Spirit within the early church.
Key Scriptures
"Now a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. And with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet." (Acts 5:1–2, ESV)
"Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?'" (Acts 5:3, ESV)
"And immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband." (Acts 5:10, ESV)
Application
Believers should examine their hearts for hidden deception and remember that God values honesty and integrity in all our commitments, especially within the body of Christ.