What does Acts 5:10 mean?

Sapphira didn't have to die. Although she conspired with her husband to secretly keep back some of the money they promised (Acts 5:1–2), she didn't have to maintain that lie. In another time, a foolish man named Nabal cheated David from his rightful pay, meaning he also insulted the future king. David responded by taking four hundred of his men to destroy Nabal.

Fortunately, Nabal had a wise wife, Abigail. Abigail met David before he reached her husband with a portion of what they owed and sincere apologies. David honored her for keeping him from murdering her worthless husband. God struck down Nabal, and Abigail became David's wife (1 Samuel 25).

Instead of following Abigail's example, Sapphira joined her husband in embezzling from God and continuing the lie. Had she known her husband had died three hours prior, she might have confessed. But confession is not the same as repentance. Confession requires only admitting you've sinned; repentance means sincerely grieving that sin and allowing the Holy Spirit to change your heart. Repentance means loving God enough to hate your own sin.

Sapphira does neither. It's not clear what benefit she expects to get out of swindling the church. God does not suffer someone who claims to follow Jesus but acts otherwise to infect the infant church. His punishment is swift and brutal. Soon, persecution will begin in earnest and the church members will flee Jerusalem (Acts 8:1–3). Those who are still caught up in impressing others rather than following Jesus will find their faith cannot survive.