“But a certain man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property. And with his wife’s knowledge and connivance he kept back and wrongfully appropriated some of the proceeds, bringing only a part and putting it at the feet of the apostles. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, and should [in violation of your promise] withdraw secretly and appropriate to your own use part of the price from the sale of the land? As long as it remained unsold, was it not still your own? And [even] after it was sold, was not [the money] at your disposal and under your control? Why then, is it that you have proposed and purposed in your heart to do this thing? [How could you have the heart to do such a deed?] You have not [simply] lied to men [playing false and showing yourself utterly deceitful] but to God.
Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great dread and terror took possession of all who heard of it” (Acts 5:1-5; AMP)

What is the background of the story?
The Holy Spirit has just being poured down on the day of Pentecost. The Church of Jesus Christ was born. Many people gave up their idols and became saved. The influence of the Word of God was increasing. The name of Jesus was held in high respect. Miracles of healing and deliverance accompanied the disciples everywhere. People desired to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
From the beginning of the church, there were two unique signs manifested among the believers, proving the filling with the Holy Spirit: boldness and generosity. People prayed with more confidence to be bold and so that they can resist the persecutions. The few wealthy ones among them sold property and gave the money to the apostles, to give to those in need.

I believe that satan was surprised at the influence and growth the church had in such a short time. So he decided to attack from within. This type of attack is always most dangerous. He tempted this couple to become his agents. This was the devil’s strategy: Ananias and his wife will pretend to be believers and infiltrate the church. They shall be bold and generous just like the others. That will give them a good chance to become leaders in the church. Satan will then be able to monitor and manipulate the brethren thru them, from a position of leadership in the Body of Christ.

Ananias was probably the leader and Sapphira agreed with him. Both were willing partners in crime. The wife had full knowledge of the evil plan. Interestingly, she obeyed the command of God to the wives (Eph 5:22). She submitted to her husband, but not ‘as unto the Lord’. She submitted to him as unto the devil. She completely understood the secret plan, including the part satan played in it. She connived with both the devil and her husband. The ‘connive’ it means to pretend ignorance, to tolerate or to be in secret sympathy with evil; to fail to oppose a crime. Like Jezebel, she made up her mind to encourage her husband in evil and to cover up for him. In case their evil was discovered, she will pretend ignorance and ‘female foolishness’. That was their reckless plan!

In Christ I declare:
I am a child of God!
The destiny of Ananias and Sapphira can never be mine!
As a wife, I submit to my husband as unto the Lord Jesus Christ!
I have to business with the devil!
I refuse to tolerate Jezebel!
I expose her wicked works and tale a public stand against her evil!
Jesus is Lord!
In Jesus name
Amen!