The answer is: Lied about the price of land they sold

Acts 5:1-11 - Their story is a sobering reminder of God’s judgment on hypocrisy within the early Church. It underscores the seriousness of integrity and honesty in serving God.

The tale of Ananias and Sapphira offers a unique glimpse into the dynamics of the early Christian community. They sold a piece of land but cooked the books and only gave a portion of the proceeds to the apostles, while pretending it was the whole amount. Talk about bad bookkeeping! This duplicitous venture didn't just cause a stir; it unleashed a serious wave of divine judgment, famously resulting in their sudden deaths.

Interestingly, this story fits into a broader biblical theme where deception leads to downfall. Think of Achan, who hid treasure from Jericho in the book of Joshua—his secret almost cost Israel victory. Or consider King Saul's keen ear for misleading words, which drove him farther away from his mission.

Acts 5 sharply contrasts the values of the early church, which embraced transparency and community-sharing principles. Everyone was encouraged to give what they could, leading to a nuanced perspective of wealth and community—sometimes referred to as the "ekklesia syndrome." Ananias and Sapphira's fateful decision challenges modern readers to reflect on what pretenses or discrepancies might exist in their lives today.

This passage serves not just as an isolated caution but echoes throughout the New Testament's messages surrounding the importance of truth—an ever-relevant call to live authentically and harmoniously in faith communities. In today’s discussions, it begs the question: How do we address honesty, integrity, and accountability among each other?