Ananias and Sapphira's problem isn't so much that they had money and didn't give it to the church, but that they lied to God. Remember, money is not the root of all evil; the love of money is ...

(Note: Verse 11 contains the first reference to the followers of Christ being called a "church' or ekklesia: the called out/chosen ones.)

(Please read Acts 4:32--5:11)

Ananias And Sapphira

Ananias has just been carried out dead. Joseph of Cyprus (the Levite who sold his field and gave the proceeds to the church) and Peter are standing outside the house-church. They watch as the corpse is carried off. A babble of voices is heard from inside the house-church. The church is filled with fear. Peter and Joseph walk away a little to talk.

Joseph: (Shocked and afraid) I feel unreal, beside myself. Tha…