I know that we have already covered the seventh commandment, but I would like to share with you a story from chapter 5 of the Acts of the Apostles. It seems to be more about lying then about stealing, anyway. The New American Bible footnote reads "the sin of Ananias and Sapphira did not consist in the withholding of part of the money but in their deception of the community. Their deaths are ascribed to a lie to the Holy Spirit, i.e. , They accepted the honor of accorded them by the community for their generosity, but in reality they were not deserving of it."
So, here's the story…
A man named Ananias however, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. He retained for himself, with his wife's knowledge, some of the purchase price, took the remainder, and put it at the feet of the apostles. But Peter said, "Ananias why has Satan filled your heart so that you lied to the Holy Spirit and retained part of the price of the land? And when it was sold was it not still under your control? Why did you contrive this deed? You have lied not to human beings, but to God." When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men came and wrapped him up, carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, unaware of what had happened. Peter said to her, "tell me, did you sell the land for that amount?" she answered, "yes, for that amount. "Then Peter said to her, "why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen, the footsteps of those who have buried your husband are at the door and they will carry you out."at once, she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men entered they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Acts 5:1-11
