Don’t misunderstand this reading. Ananias and Sapphira were not struck down because they didn’t give enough to the LORD. It was that they LIED to HIM! (BTW – bad idea, He knows our thoughts.) The people of the early church were not mandated to give all to the church, just as we do not mandate a tithe or any other amount. What damage would it do the churches reputation (and the One we represent) if someone went around talking about how he/she gave so much to the poor because they loved Jesus, only to find out that they gave only a fraction of that amount?
This passage is about integrity more than it is about stewardship. It’s about doing the right thing even when no one else is watching or would ever know. That’s integrity! What is the result of that spiritual integrity? Read again verses 13-14 “…the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord…”
May God us that integrity so we might impact OUR community in amazing ways.