1) Ananias “sold a piece of property… and kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 5:1, 2) Peter interpreted the whole incident as unbecoming of believers as they created the impression that they are giving full amount received from the sale of their property, and told the wife of Ananias: “The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” (Acts 5:9). Death sentence for slightly exaggerating one’s generosity?
2) In this incident, Peter seems to be over-righteous! Peter forgot his own use of exaggeration—“Peter said: “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will” and yet he fell away repeatedly! (Mathew 26:33)
3) Ananias & Sapphira did not commit a serious crime as to invoke death-sentence on them—Even David who murdered his faithful soldier and stole his wife at a time when he had many wives and concubines was not only given death-sentence but also is presented in good light in the Bible. (Revelation 22:16)
4) When one sells his property and gives the bulk of it for religious cause, the whole spirit behind such an action is commendably good. Keeping a portion with the donor himself for his need is part of being practical—a course of action Jesus himself advocated through his famous parable of Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-9) and through direct commandment to his apostles (Luke 22:35, 36)
In view of the above, do you think the account of Ananias and Sapphira is genuine? Or could it be a cooked up story to steal the money from the gullible?