What does Acts 5:9 mean?
The sin of Ananias and Sapphira isn't that they keep some of the money from the sale of their land. God wasn't demanding they give any set amount. Rather, they promised to give God all of it, but kept some and lied about it. By going back on a promise—and, more importantly, by lying about it—they embezzled what they had dedicated to God. Trying to deceive other Christians shows they value attention and prestige over honesty and humility. They are also testing God.God specifically told the Israelites not to test Him (Deuteronomy 6:16). We are not to try His patience or His goodness or tempt Him to allow us to do evil. Jesus used this verse to reprove Satan, asserting that we should not do foolish things to see how God will react (Matthew 4:7).
Peter asks Sapphira to confirm what her husband said, and Sapphira stands by the lie. Her answer is more disappointing because Peter gave her an explicit chance to choose honesty. God hates when we test how far we can go before He will discipline us, but He loves when we test Him to bless us for our obedience (Malachi 3:10). The Bible shows throughout its pages that God loves to be merciful.
The main message of the church is because of Jesus, we can repent (Acts 2:38). Sadly, despite living in the church community and having the opportunity to learn from those who knew Jesus best (Acts 2:42), Sapphira never understands the value of rejecting her sin and whole-heartedly following Jesus. In these early days of the church, God takes extreme measures to show repentance is not just a nice offer He gives us but a requirement if we want to live.
Acts 5:1–11 contains the unfortunate story of Ananias and Sapphira. While the story of Peter and John's arrest by the Sadducees shows the beginning of problems outside the church (Acts 4), the account of Ananias and Sapphira reveals issues inside the church. As people listen to the witness of the apostles and come to a saving faith in Jesus, they donate what they have so that everyone in the church has what they need (Acts 4:32–37). Ananias and Sapphira want to join the wave of altruism, but not completely. God loves generosity, but not shallow performances which attempts to make a fool of Him and His people.
The apostles continue to make hard decisions in the name of Jesus, both inside and outside the church. When Ananias and Sapphira lie to God, the Holy Spirit inspires Peter to pronounce God's judgment on them, protecting the church from the love of the world. Despite the Sanhedrin's watchful eye—and direct orders (Acts 4:17–18)—the apostles continue to preach and heal openly. The guards arrest the apostles, but the Sanhedrin settles for beating them instead of capital punishment. The apostles consider it an honor to suffer on behalf of their Savior.
