When
Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard
what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his
body, and carried him out and buried him. Acts 5:5-6
It
seems extreme to see someone die for not bringing enough tithe. Today, when the plate is passed down the aisle,
people would be dropping left and right.
But back then, the early church was starting and tithing was a new thing
for the church. God wanted to make a
point that this was serious business and used Ananias and Sapphira as an
example. In verse 11, it says “Great
fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.” God established the church as a powerful
force with God’s hand upon it.