Don't offer it if you don't mean it!

Love this story.  I'll share a thought at the end.

Acts 5:1-11(NKJV)

1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 

2And 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. 

3But 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? 

4While 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.”

5Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 

6And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

7Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 

8And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”

9Then 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.” 

10Then 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. 

11So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Ever hear the phase, God loves a cheerful giver?  Well this story is about just the opposite.  A stingy uncommitted giver.

I believe the sin in this story was not that he kept some of the proceeds for himself.  As Peter says, it was his property to do with as he pleased.
 

I believe the sin here was lying and trying to deceive God.  I firmly believe that if Ananias had said right up front "God, when I sell this property I'm giving you 75% and I am going to keep 25% for this or that"; God would have been totally OK with that.

Does that make sense?

The moral of the story is, give to God freely but don't promise more than you are truly willing to give.  Because if you don't come through later I believe that God takes a dim view of that. 

Now will you lose your salvation?  Of course not.  But remember how your rewards in Heaven are contingent on what you do for God here on earth?  I believe this is the kind of thing that affects your rewards in Heaven.