Ananias and Sapphira, Original Sin in the Church:-TITHING

Houston Catholic Worker, ^ | Vol. XXII, No. 7, December 2002. | by Jorge Domínguez Rojo

[restornu]

Ananias and Sapphira, an Original Sin in the Church: the Eschatological Dimension of Money

Not long ago a couple rushed into Casa Juan Diego, very agitated, asking to speak to us privately. They had just been reading the story of Ananias and Sapphira in the Acts of the Apostles, in which those who did not share their goods were struck dead. The couple, friends of the Houston Catholic Worker, had also just received a legacy. They wrote a check to Casa Juan Diego for $10,000.

The account of the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, whose theological violence has disturbed exegetes since the Fathers of the Church, has led to an infinite number of interpretations.

In the following article, excerpted from VOCES, a theological journal from Mexico City, the author presents and develops the study of Daniel Marguerat on the meaning of the story of Ananias and Sapphira, placing it as a theological narrative of original sin which recurs in the reception of the Tradition. The author points out that in this case the presentation of the dramatic events does not emphasize the drama of individual salvation, but rather the unity of the community, especially as it affects the needs of other members and the poor. The story magnifies the power of the Spirit in building a community of love and brings into stark reality the importance of the universal destination of goods given by God. The author of the Book of Acts is very aware that the original sin of the community of Christians is a sin of money.

[GeronL]

There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. . .

So when the Catholic Church sells the Vatican and all its properties and good Catholics follow suit we can feed the hungry for a year. Next year... who knows.

[restornu]

Sorry you feel that way I know a lot of devoted Catholics who help the needy all the time.

I am called at least once a month to donate to the Purple heart it is a good cause.

[RaceBannon]

that had to be the most gobbly gooked article I read in years.

[thulldud]

The author of the Book of Acts is very aware that the original sin of the community of Christians is a sin of money.

(Peter speaking to Ananias, calling him down:) "While it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?"

I've heard the claim that the early church practiced communism, but to say that you have to ignore statements like this one. What Peter was talking about, as if it were the most natural thing to assume, was pure, capitalistic, private property. Ananias wasn't judged for having or keeping property/money; he was judged for lying about what he was giving: claiming to have given all when he had not.

And what is this about "TITHING" in the title? What they were doing in that situation was NOT tithing. Not even close.

Meh.

[fish hawk]

Tithing is an old testament law. We, now, are not under the Law. Giving is a good thing but even that does not get you into heaven. So give with grace and if you can't, you need not feel guilt.

[restornu]

Was not the original sin when Able and Cain presented their offerings Able was accepted but Cain was denied because it was not his best.

The point of the story was don’t hold back for Lord knows the heart and mind of man.

Genesis 4

3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Hebrew 11

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

[restornu]

Tithing is an old testament law.

Are you sure?

__

We, now, are not under the Law. Giving is a good thing but even that does not get you into heaven.

True tithing in no way will enable one to go to Heaven but could it stop one if they are among those comsumed by fire?

John 5

39 ¶ Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Anyway it seems we are now in the era that the validity of this commandment will be observed by those watching.

Excerpt comentary
It is said in Mal. 3: 8-18, in which it is shown that blessings from the payment of tithing are both temporal and spiritual, and failure to pay an honest tithe is a form of robbery.

The Lord’s messenger shall prepare the way for the Second Coming—Christ shall sit in judgment—Israel commanded to pay tithes and offerings—They keep a book of remembrance.

Malachi 3

1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:

3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.

6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

7 ¶ Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

8 ¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

___

So give with grace and if you can’t, you need not feel guilt.

Yes the Lord loves a Cheerful giver, one is not blessed if giving begrudenly or feel compelled.

Only way one would feel guilty would be if by the power of the Holy Ghoat their consceince is pricked!

[thulldud]

Was not the original sin when Able and Cain presented their offerings Able was accepted but Cain was denied because it was not his best.

Not exactly. "Original sin" has a couple of meanings. In the strictest literal sense, it refers to Adam's sin only, but in a wider sense, our inheritance of that sin.

The point of the story about Cain and Abel is a little more involved than I want to get into right now, but to understand it, you have to recall the chapter previous. Much of the gist of the story is actually written "between the lines", but is discernible enough when you take it all into account.

[fish hawk]

I'm not sure what your point is but by quoting all Old Testament scripture, you are making my point. Don't forget that scripture talks to two people: The Jews under the law, and the Church under Grace. And this is very easy to see in the New Testament. (Read James and compare to Paul. All of James it directed to the Jews and most of Paul to the church.

[restornu]

I agree there are several points in which Cain seem to escalate his raft about his place in the scheme of things in which he placed himself...

Would you not say it was all his own doings!

But the offering was an important one, not the offering its self as much as it was the condition of Cain’s heart towards the Lord!

and when these two Ananias and Sapphira held back from the Lord it showed they were not what they pretended to be!

[restornu]

Thank you for giving me more insight of why we differ so much.

I will respect your understanding so as not to contend but maybe someday some things just don’t seem to add up or there is more to the story because many of the things spoken in many of these senarios do not give us the full even that took place

so we can choose to accept that is was complete if one has nothing to compare it too.

Now if we were reading today a story in the news many of us would want to know more before accepting as is knowing how things are not always what they seem.

The world has a reputation of tampering with the evidence and if we read something thousands of years later how are we going to know or discern accept by the Spirit of the Lord.

Peace

[thulldud]

and when these two Ananias and Sapphira held back from the Lord it showed they were not what they pretended to be!

It was when they lied about holding back, but it surely did.

Peter's accusation implies that if they had just said, "We sold our property, and here's what we can give out of it for the church fund", there would have been no problem.

Instead, they came in after Barnabas had sold a property and contributed the full amount, hoping to imply that they were doing exactly they same. When confronted about it (separately) they each represented their contribution as being the full proceeds of their own sale, as they had agreed between themselves to do.

A common thread through all these stories is the notion that somehow God can be fooled with a plausible story. What kind of thinking is that? (One answer: all too common.)

[fish hawk]

And Grace and peace to you also. I've really studied this subject: Grace vs Law, Jews vs Church, the Apostles to the Jews (the 11) and the Apostle to the Church Age, Paul. Once you understand who the scripture is talking too it is easier to sort out some verses that seem to contradict each other ( James: faith without works is worthless) (Paul, saved by faith only through grace)

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15

[T Minus Four]

Was not the original sin when Able and Cain presented their offerings

What are you talking about Resty? The original sin was the fall in the garden of Eden.

We couldn't keep the commandments when there was only ONE!

[T Minus Four]

Tithing is an old testament law. We, now, are not under the Law. Giving is a good thing but even that does not get you into heaven. So give with grace and if you can't, you need not feel guilt.

Yes, but that's for Christians.

[T Minus Four]

Exactly. It's not that they didn't give it all, it's that they pretended they were and then kept some for themselves.

If they had just said, "here's part of the money" they may have been accused of being stingy, but they would not have been struck down dead.

[T Minus Four]

1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

3Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." 5When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

7About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price."

9Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."

10At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Acts 5

[small voice in the wilderness]

"And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need". (Acts 2:;44,45).

"All that believed"..believed what?

You just need to go back a couple of scriptures to find out. "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel". (Acts 2:16). "And it shall come to pass in the last days,saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,and your young men shall see visions,and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit: and they shall prophesy:" (Acts 2:17,18).

Acts Chapter 2 and 3 mark the beginning of the *harvest for Israel*. It is the preparing of the Jewish people for the times of restitution when Jesus Christ will come to earth the second time.

"Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when *the times of refreshing* shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began". (Acts 3:19-21).

Which brings us to *why Israel sells everything in the early Acts period*

They were convinced that the time was come when they would all be blessed and have all things equal, the Lord was coming back- But he did not. THIS IS WHY *All that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need". (Acts 2;44,45).

[small voice in the wilderness]

AMEN, fish hawk. Rightly dividing the Word of Truth transforms your Bible life! You will never be deceived or taken in by false doctrine. Maranatha!