Afterward, Ananias and Sapphira grieved the Holy Spirit by yielding to feelings of covetousness. They began to regret their promise and soon lost the sweet influence of the blessing that had warmed their hearts with a desire to do large things in behalf of the cause of Christ. They thought they had been too hasty, that they ought to reconsider their decision. They talked the matter over, and decided not to fulfill their pledge. They saw, however, that those who parted with their possessions to supply the needs of their poorer brethren, were held in high esteem among the believers; and ashamed to have their brethren know that their selfish souls grudged that which they had solemnly dedicated to God, they deliberately decided to sell their property and pretend to give all the proceeds into the general fund, but really to keep a large share for themselves. Thus they would secure their living from the common store and at the same time gain the high esteem of their brethren.

Bagefter bedrøvede Ananias og Safira Helligånden ved at give efter for begærlige følelser. De begyndte at angre deres løfte og mistede snart den gode påvirkning af den velsignelse, som havde fået deres hjerter til at brænde af ønsket om at gøre store ting for Kristi skyld. De mente, de havde handlet overilet, og at de endnu engang burde overveje deres bestemmelse. De talte sammen om sagen og besluttede ikke at opfylde deres løfte. Imidlertid så de, at de, som skilte sig af med deres ejendom for at afhjælpe deres fattige brødres nød, blev holdt højt i ære af de troende; og da de skammede sig over, at deres brødre skulle få at vide, at de i deres selviskhed ikke undte andre det, som de højtideligt havde lovet til Gud, så besluttede de efter moden overvejelse at sælge deres ejendom og lade, som om de gav hele udbyttet til den fælles kasse, mens de i virkeligheden beholdt en stor del deraf til sig selv. På denne måde ville de sikre sig deres udkomme fra det fælles forråd og samtidig vinde stor agtelse fra deres brødre.