Acts 5:1-11 Standing Alone And True.

It is commendable when a married couple keep things only between themselves. However, there are times when any close human relationship must take a back seat to one’s standing before God (vv. 1-2). This account of Ananias and Sapphira is clear in giving both of them the opportunity to tell the truth. Their great sin was not in refusing to give all the proceeds to the apostles but in lying about it, as though they gave the full amount of the sale (vv. 3-4, 7-9). They each die for their lie to the Holy Spirit (vv. 5-6, 10). Understandably, fear came upon all who witnessed these events (vv. 5b. 11). Besides teaching that one should not dare to lie to God, this passage also teaches that there must be limits to the secrecy which a married couple holds with each other. No one may usurp God’s place of first priority.