Show Me Your Hands预览

THE WRONG SOLUTION

We don’t know why Ananias and Sapphira decided to sell their property. But chances are good that they needed the money for something specific. Giving up the property was probably the solution to one or more problems in their life.

There was a catch to their solution though. Their friends at church were giving all they had to the apostles’ Kingdom work. “There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need” (Acts 4:34-35, NLT). Apart from the need that Ananias and Sapphira had. The problem that would be solved if they just kept a small part of the sale to themselves.

In the same way, we often justify our holding on to what we have when we have a great need. Letting go of our gifts or resources will leave us vulnerable to our needs. Whether it is basic needs or the need for approval or status, we would do almost anything to have them met. Even if it meant lying and cheating the Lord Himself out of what belongs to Him.

In Matthew 6, Jesus gets to the root of the problem. By relying on ourselves for our daily needs, we push God out of the equation. “These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need” (v. 32-33, NLT).

What needs in your life are preventing you from letting go? What do you think the consequence would be if you stopped holding on?

Let us trust God with all our needs instead of clinging to our own solutions. And let us not use our needs and problems as excuses for not letting go. “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them” (Romans 12:11-13, NLT).