ACC ~ Acts 5 v5

WE ARE WARNED. BEDE: It was not on account of [this] accusation that Peter gave such a severe sentence to the transgressors, but in the Spirit he foresaw future weeds that would by their deformed character adulterate the simplicity of the church. For from these the worst type of Sarabaitsreportedly arose. Although by no means did they give up their possessions, they pretended to preserve apostolic discipline. He did not allow the culprits to be healed by any repentance, but in order to strike fear into the generations to come, he took care to cut the noxious shoot out by its roots. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 5.5.

THE SIN OF ACQUISITIVENESS. JOHN CASSIAN: And so if against those who did not covet other persons’ goods but tried to be sparing of their own, and had no desire to acquire but only the wish to retain, there went forth so severe a sentence, what should we think of those who desire to amass wealth, without ever having had any of their own, and, making a show of poverty before people, are before God convicted of being rich, through the passion of avarice? INSTITUTES 7.25.

Acts