You Have Lied to the Holy Spirit: Acts 5:1-11

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.

The early church shared radically. Barnabas had sold a field, laid the money at the apostles' feet. Others followed. Generosity marked the community. Ananias and Sapphira wanted to be seen as generous too.

With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

The scheme was simple. Sell the property. Keep some. Bring the rest. Claim it was all. Look as generous as Barnabas without the same cost. Sapphira knew. They agreed together.