Show Me Your HandsSample

HOLD ON TIGHT

The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 has always brought a slight sense of dread to the pit of my stomach. What if God suddenly strikes me down when I hesitate to give my tithe?!

In Acts 5:3, we read that Ananias made two very dangerous mistakes. “You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself” (NLT). It wasn’t mandatory to give all property to the church. So whenever I read the story, I wonder why Ananias wanted to hold on to his money so tightly that he had to lie to God (v 4).

And why was it such a serious matter to God? He already revealed his position in Exodus 22:29: “You must not hold anything back when you give me offerings from your crops and your wine” (NLT). But throughout the Bible, we read of people committing all kinds of sins without getting killed on the spot. Not even Judas Iscariot was struck down on the spot when he sold God’s Son out to be killed (Luke 22).

Over the next six days, we will explore some of the root issues that may be behind our tendency to hold back. And we will also look for what God’s heart is for our sacrifices to Him who needs nothing from us.

Do you know of anything in your life that you are holding back from God? Do you believe that God may be longing for your total surrender to Him?

Let us search our hearts for anything that we may be holding in our hands too tightly. And let our lives be acceptable offerings that bring joy to the Lord. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him (Romans 12:1, NLT).