A wave of generosity was sweeping through the early NT church meeting the needs of the poor (Acts 4:32-37). People were being praised for their generosity. Ananias and Sapphira wanted that kind of praise. They gave part, pretending that it was all. They wanted credit for what they did not do. Educators and politicians are exposed for fake resumes; students turn in papers that are not their work. Plagiarism, we see it often on social media, where something is shared with no credit to the real author. All are persons wanting credit for what they did not do. This is the Ananias and Sapphira spirit; it is driven by self-important pride and a desire to be praised. This dishonesty is driven by a character flaw that needs to be repented of and cleansed. Even legitimate praise can poison the soul if one is not careful. Stolen praise is far worse as seen by the consequences for these two.
“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 5:1–2 (ESV)
