There is a case in the Acts of the Apostles where two people lie to the Church, and pretend to donate all of the proceeds from selling their land to the Church and drop dead. This wasn’t because they didn’t give it all, it’s because they publicly gave in front of many others as a show of holiness.
Nope. Acts 5 follows acts 4 (the “But” makes it clear), and acts 4 is all about giving up your riches to live in a commune.
That’s also supported by the teaching that rich people won’t go to heaven (unless you can pass a camel through a needle hole) and James.
While money was a part of it, Peter points out it is about lying. Please note, I am trying to weed out a predatory tactic of “sell everything you have to give to a priest”. Not “billionaires should exist”. In terms of tithing, it’s more about lying.
Acts 5:3-4, 8-9
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
I’m not discounting both readings, I think here it’s a case of “both are true”. But I don’t think Ananias and Sapphira would have died had they just not pretended it was all of their money. Greed was a part of it, but so was an act of deception and stolen valour.
Nope. Acts 5 follows acts 4 (the “But” makes it clear), and acts 4 is all about giving up your riches to live in a commune.
That’s also supported by the teaching that rich people won’t go to heaven (unless you can pass a camel through a needle hole) and James.
While money was a part of it, Peter points out it is about lying. Please note, I am trying to weed out a predatory tactic of “sell everything you have to give to a priest”. Not “billionaires should exist”. In terms of tithing, it’s more about lying.
Acts 5:3-4, 8-9
I’m not discounting both readings, I think here it’s a case of “both are true”. But I don’t think Ananias and Sapphira would have died had they just not pretended it was all of their money. Greed was a part of it, but so was an act of deception and stolen valour.