God Loves A Cheerful Giver

I remember when my wife and I first got married that she would tell me stories about the Christian camp she attended as a child, because camp meant so much to her growing up. One of the songs they sang at camp was called, “God Loves a Cheerful Giver,” which was about Ananias and Sapphira; and I want to share the lyrics of this song to get us started and to lighten the mood a little before we dig into a very serious passage:

Ananias and Sapphira got together to conspire

a plot…to cheat…the church and get ahead,

But they did not know the power that the Holy Spirit had,

They lied to Simon Peter and they both dropped dead!

God loves a cheerful giver,

Give it all you’ve got;

When you’re down and out, without a doubt,

You’re in an awful spot.

When the odds add up against you and you cannot do a thing.

Praise God, to serve Him is a joyous thing.

This song is a way to address a very “difficult to understand” passage of Scripture in a light-hearted fashion. It’s such a difficult passage, that two of my go-to commentaries just skim right through it without saying anything of worth. And it’s a passage that many pastors won’t touch, because the nature of God that’s portrayed within is just hard for church members to swallow. The LogosTalk website, states, “The account of Ananias and Sapphira strikes many readers as harsh; a return to Old Testament retribution. ‘Why this swift act of judgment?’ No amount of commentary” the website says, “will ever take the edge off this passage – and that may be the point.”(1)

The Account of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Wow! We read here that a couple named Ananias and Sapphira died for withholding what they said they were giving to the church. This passage is shocking to many of us! The reason why is because here we are in the New Testament, and two people have apparently been struck dead by God! Most of us are probably under the impression that this kind of judgment was seen “only” in the Old Testament, and that it was pre-grace and pre-Jesus. I mean, all we have to do now, when we sin, is ask God to forgive us and it’s done, right? We can pretty much do whatever we like and just get a slap on the wrist! Well, not exactly.

In the shock and awe of this couple’s fate, it’s easy to forget the first word in the account: “But” (v. 1). The chapter division breaks up some important details that happened before the word “but.” So, let’s back up and see what precedes this account. We read in Acts chapter 4, verses 32-37:

32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.