Well, one reason among many. But first, today’s reading:

Acts 5:1-11

5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet.3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

The deadly sin of Ananias and Sapphira is not that they kept back part of the money for themselves; the deadly sin of Ananias and Sapphira is that they pretended to be better than they were.

It’s as if Luke is telling us that the one thing that will kill the church is dishonesty.

I find it very interesting that Peter explicitly states that the money of Ananias and Sapphira is completely their own to dispose of as they see fit (v. 4).

Note, therefore, that the Bible supports the idea of private property. This is because the Bible teaches that each of us is a steward of the gifts that God has given us. That is, the Lord has given each of us the responsibility to make something out of the gifts we have received and to use them according to the values of his Kingdom. And, we will be held accountable for our stewardship.

So, one of the many reasons I am not a communist is because I believe it is actually against God’s will for us to abolish private property ownership. But, that does not mean that it is God’s will for us to use our gifts solely and selfishly for ourselves. Rather, God gives gifts so we can bless others.

How can you do that today?