First 120, then another 3,000 in one day, then climbing to 5,000, the number of believers in Jesus kept rising astronomically.  Despite the beatings and imprisonment of the leaders, people continued to find the teachings of Jesus and the infectious fellowship of his followers irresistible.  There was a feeling of astonishing excitement and newness after the self-centred and stale religion of the scribes and Pharisees.  As for the Sadducees, their religion was even worse, focusing as it did on political power and money.

No, the believers had something wonderful to offer that the established religions could not compete with, and the feeling of possible danger didn't put most people off at all.

But it wasn't long before the initial enthusiasm began to pall a little.  Religious zeal is all very well for religious zealots, but most people are too practical for that.  There was this idea of sharing everything amongst the believers, and so various people had the opportunity to get noticed by giving some of their goods for everybody to use.  The givers were noticed and praised, and everyone was happy.

One of the eager enthusiasts, however, a Levite named Joseph who had been born in Cyprus, raised the bar.  He wasn't satisfied with just a medium-value gift: instead, he sold a field he owned and gave the money – all of it – to the apostles for distribution.

That certainly made it more difficult to get noticed amongst "the believers", as they called themselves.

But one couple, Ananias and Sapphira, came up with an ingenious plan to give and to get noticed, while keeping a little nest-egg just in case.

It really was ingenious.

Let me tell you about it.

They had a piece of property that would be worth quite a bit of money if they sold it.  Then they could give some of the proceeds to the apostles and everyone would take note that they, Ananias and Sapphira, had given so very generously.  Good will and a measure of fame would come to them because everyone would hear of their outstanding generosity.

So they sold the property, and got a good price, too – but they didn't tell anyone else.  Not yet.

They wanted to help the poor, no question about that, but... if they gave away all the money, what would happen if they needed some?  How would they be able to afford those small indulgences that made life a little more joyful?  Keeping some of the money was obviously the best thing to do.

As the day for settling the deal drew nearer, one or other of the pair had a marvellous idea, a once-in-a-lifetime piece of brilliance: keep some of the money, but tell the apostles that they had given all of it!

Yes, they both agreed, that was the best thing to do.

After all, helping the poor was important to them.  Just think of those fatherless children they had heard of last week, and the widows whose children had rejected them when they joined the believers.

They certainly saw themselves as people who helped the poor and gave to those less fortunate than themselves.

As for the slight tampering with the truth, that was nothing major.  Without doubt, the amount they were giving was the important detail.  No-one would ever know.

The money was in their hands and it felt good.  The money they were keeping for themselves had been separated from the rest of the money already.

What an opportunity to use the remainder to help all of their brothers and sisters in the faith!  So much being given to help so many, with just a part being kept for themselves – only a small part, really.

Everybody would be so glad to see the love of Ananias and Sapphira being shown in genuine action, and doubtless others would be encouraged to follow and continue the outworking of faith.

It was time to hand over the money to the apostles: Ananias would deliver it.  They both hoped that there would be enough witnesses that their generosity would be reported widely among the believers without them needing to assist.

A few witnesses would be a very good thing.

Ananias carried the money in a bag to the room where the apostles could normally be found when they were not out preaching.  Entering the room, he had to wait a few minutes while the apostles dealt with another matter.

Looking around, he was pleased to see that there were quite a few witnesses, including some young men who would be sure to treat him with much more respect after this.

He spent the time reflecting on just how clever their plan was and the admiration and respect they would soon be receiving.

Soon, Ananias was called forward and asked what his business was.

"I and Sapphira my wife sold a piece of property," announced Ananias, "and we have decided to give all of the proceeds to help any believers who are needy."

There were a few rather pleasing gasps around the room, and several people turned to look at each other, exchanging glances of shared admiration for such generosity.

But Peter wasn't looking so pleased as he stood up and walked across to Ananias.  Ananias looked into his eyes and saw condemnation there.  He wondered briefly whether Peter could have heard of their plans, but he knew there was no way that Peter could know their clever ruse, so he waited to hear what the great apostle had to say.

"Ananias," said Peter, "why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God."

The dreams and plans were suddenly torn away as Ananias fell down like a stone, dead.  Instead of witnessing his triumph, those present witnessed his downfall.  Those young men watching did not learn to show him respect; rather, they wound him up in grave clothes and took him out and buried him.

It was about three hours later when Sapphira came to the apostles, looking for her husband, and perhaps looking for some praise for their generosity.

She entered a room made serious by the unexpected death of her husband.  Sensing that something important or serious had taken place, she felt the gravity of the situation, but suspected nothing.

The apostle Peter had a difficult task to complete.  Nothing like this had ever happened in their fellowship before, and the horror of it was still sinking in.  Hiding the truth from God was impossible, of course, and that was how Peter had known of Ananias' crime.  Lying to God was a very serious crime, and God had judged it worthy of death.

Peter wondered whether Sapphira would admit their plot, acknowledge their guilt.  Maybe God would spare her if she did.  The matter must be settled immediately.

"Tell me," he asked, solemnly, "whether you sold the land for so much."

Briefly, she wondered whether Ananias had somehow given away the secret – but no, he knew just how important it was.  There was no way he would let it out.  No-one could possibly know.

"Yes," she said, "for so much."

Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."

Sapphira's dreams of being shown respect and admiration died with her, as she likewise fell to the floor before Peter.

Only a short time later, the young men who had carried the body of Ananias to its burial came in and found his wife dead too.

"What happened?" asked their leader.

"They had agreed together to lie to God," explained Peter.  "Sapphira confirmed that they had sold the land for the amount of money that they gave, and yet the Holy Spirit revealed to me that they had kept some for themselves.  God has killed them both."

"So was it that they didn't give all of the money?" asked one of the young men.

"No," replied Peter, "it was the lie they told.  If they had come to us and said, 'Here is some of the money we made from the sale of our property,' they would both still be alive.  Their lies led to death.  Never forget that God is a God of truth."

Attempting to earn respect through deceit didn't work.  Ananias and his wife Sapphira paid the ultimate price for their lies, and all the believers heard the terrible tale.  Those who had viewed this new religion as an exciting new opportunity to dabble in religion found that suddenly they had to take it seriously.  Very seriously.

All of the believers, every last one of them, realised once again that God sees and knows.  Nothing can be hidden from him.

Have you learned that lesson yet?