What did Ananias and Sapphira do with their sold possession?
Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession, as Barnabas did, but they kept back part of the price. They brought only a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet, while claiming they had brought it all. Peter charged them with lying to the Holy Ghost and keeping back part of the land’s price.
Les teaches that this account in Acts 5 occurs while Peter is still dealing with Jewish believers in Jerusalem. Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession just like Barnabas, but they made their big mistake: they kept part of the proceeds. His wife knew what was being done. They brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Peter asked why Satan had filled Ananias’s heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and keep back part of the price of the land. Peter said the land remained their own and was in their own power; they did not have to bring it, but why lie and say they had when they had not? Les notes they had not lied unto men but unto God. Les explains this is a better example of Kingdom circumstances; death is possible in the Kingdom, not very likely, but if someone commits a horrendous act of rebellion against the King, he may be suddenly taken off the scene. These Jewish believers had to understand this.