WHAT KILLED SAPPHIRA?

WHAT KILLED SAPPHIRA?
Often time than not, we look at some of the greatest bible characters and their corresponding stories and wonder how it played out then and in some cases ponder with aesthetic thoughts given the same situation in the 21st century, what would have played out. No doubt one of the most striking stories of the apostolic era is that of the couple named Ananias and Sapphira. The story is relevant to us today not because they were a couple but because it is a story that brings or should bring sanity to the church as a sin against the Holy Spirit was grievously frown at and punished in real time.
Recently I was having a chat with a Christian friend and he raised the question, what killed Sapphira? I raised the issue on my Facebook status and my fellow Christians gave the obvious answer, even though, some gave a different answer . This question became more interesting as we look at it more intrinsically or better still, looking at it overtly at the same time. What Killed Sapphira?
There are three important things we have to understand before we attempt to answer the question.
-First, we must understand the story and the decision of the couple.
-Secondly we must understand and agree on what killed Ananaias and
-Lastly we must understand the question, which is WHAT (and not WHO) killed Sapphira?
Let’s go through the scriptures together, Acts of Apostles 5 vs.1 to 5;
“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, {5:2} And kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy [to it,] and brought a certain part, and laid [it] at the apostles’ feet. {5:3} But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? {5:4} Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why has thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. {5:5} And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things”

This helps us answer the first two things which; understand the story and the decision of the couple and understanding and agreeing on what killed Ananaias which is Lying or concealing the truth (Being economical with the truth) especially lying against the Holy Spirit. Stealing was not a question here as it was their land being sold.
Now back to our question what killed Sapphira? Remember Who Sapphira is? She is the other half of the duo who made a deal. Let’s go through the other part of the scriptures together, Acts of Apostles 5 vs.6 to 10;

“{5:6} And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried [him] out, and buried [him. ]{5:7} And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. {5:8}
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, yea, for so much. {5:9} Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and shall carry thee out. {5:10} Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying [her] forth ,buried [her] by her husband.”

I stand to be corrected, I would say that actually WHAT killed Sapphira was not strictly - Lying like in the case of her husband., even though the WHO in Who killed Sapphira is the same as the WHO in who Killed Ananaias? Am sure at this point eyebrows are high up and in some cases there could be some literary grinding of teeth and in rare cases clenched fist against the writer here. But just before then, let look at this passage with a second thought and draw out some highlights that could help us reach a non-divergent point.
First Ananaias got to the church before Sapphira. Secondly Sapphira as a result of the first point was not aware of what had occurred prior to her arrival. Thirdly her script of what to say was pre-agreed with her husband and that was what she rendered when she was questioned (this ruled out disobedient, and being a traitor/ treachery). I guess the question now is, if LYING wasn’t the answer (overtly thinking) WHAT then Killed Sapphira?
Looking at this scenario closely, I asked analytically, what if Sapphira had walked in when her husband was being questioned? Or better put, what could have happened If Sapphira had come to church on time enough to witness the incidence. She could have at least have arrived at the same time with her husband. As strange at it may sound LATENESS, yes Lateness by situational inference killed Sapphira.
LATENESS could have been what killed Sapphira. Ananias was not late but lied. Sapphira arrived late and had to lie because she wasn’t aware of what happened before her arrival. She could have arrived early (hence, avoid lying). That would, sensible thinking. Psychologically,This mean; when she was questioned having witnessed what happened to her husband could have remedied the situation. Simply put, Sapphira could have arrived five (5) verses earlier and she would have been alive.
Today we come late to almost every where except our office… of course our money would be at stake. Christians come to church late without any remorse, without any blink, after all, we think we are doing God a favour’ even though its otherwise. Before we run LATE next time to Church or any seemingly unimportant appointment, always remember and ask …WHAT KILLED SAPPHIRRA?

Seth. O.Ogungbemi
August 2009