FAITHFULNESS - Champions by the Fruit of the SpiritSample

Faithfulness vs Withholding

Bible story: Abraham and Isaac Genesis 22:1-18

Theme Verse: Hebrews 11:6

Throughout the whole Bible, God shows an important aspect of faithfulness is to be willing and not to withhold things from Him. That is why this week we are fighting the sin of withholding. To withhold something is to refuse to give something that is due. It can also mean to suppress or hold back. In today’s Bible story, God asked something HUGE of Abraham! He had to choose to withhold from God or to be willing to obey Him.

For most of Abraham’s life, he and his wife Sarah had been unable to have children. God had promised Abraham and Sarah offspring (children, grandchildren, etc.) as many as the stars in the sky. Therefore, it was surprising that they had not yet been able to have even one child. Then, one miraculous day, God opened Sarah’s womb, and she became pregnant, even though she was very old! They had a son named Isaac, and they loved him and cared for him.

Then God decided to test Abraham to see if he was willing or if he would withhold from God. God called to Abraham and told him to take his son Isaac up the mountain and to sacrifice him as a burnt offering. That very morning, Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took two servants, his son Isaac, and all the supplies needed for the sacrifice. They traveled to the place God said, and then Abraham and his son went on, prepared for the sacrifice.

Isaac said to his father, “The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” Abraham must have been so scared to actually have to obey God! But he trusted God and continued with the plan. They set up the altar, and Abraham put Isaac on it. However, just as Abraham raised the knife, God stopped him! God told Abraham not to hurt the boy and said, “Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:12)

This verse shows that God was testing Abraham to see if he would withhold anything from God. We can celebrate with Abraham that he passed the test! Abraham proved to be willing and didn’t hold anything back. God will also test us. He is looking for men and women, boys and girls, who will be willing to give God anything He asks for. God is looking for those who will not withhold from Him. Are you willing to obey God? Could you pass a difficult test?

Questions:

Have you ever withheld information, friendship, or kindness from someone? When and to whom?

If God were to ask you to sacrifice your most important thing in life, what would it be?

Has God ever tested you? Explain.

Life Application:

Is there something that God is asking you to give up this week? Take a moment to think about what that is, and then pray that God gives you the strength to give it up. It could be tea, Facebook, or a favorite food. To win this fight, choose to give that item up all week long.