Peter wants to make it clear to Ananias that he was under no obligation to sell his property and, having sold it, under no obligation to give the money to the church. Everything which he did was voluntary.1 Deception was not necessary to retain part of the money,2 so the only reason to lie was in order to claim greater honour and status within the church community.
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”