Then 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? Didn’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 just to human beings but to God.”

Acts 5:3-4

The sin of Ananias was not only one of lying. No, his motive is relevant to this situation. He wanted all of the kudos from giving all the money from the sale of his property without actually giving all the money from the sale of his property. So the lie was worse than just lying to people for gain and pride but lying to God about his intent, something God knew all too well.

Here’s the thing: do you think anyone in the church would have hated or scolded them for saying something like, “we sold the property to help those in need but we can’t give it all because we need some ourselves”? No! Peter himself said as much. But Ananias as prudent as he wanted to be with his money, Ananias was imprudent with his word.

Don’t lie to God about your motives. If you are doing nothing wrong, don’t overcommit, don’t promise what you will eventually resent and don’t hide your motivation. “God loves a cheerful giver” and he will punish the wicked liar who hides the pride and selfishness of his own heart behind half-baked charity.

Ethan Kirl