Thursday, October 20, 2011

Open Hands vs Closed Fists

Today as I was reading in Acts, the story of Ananias and Sapphira stuck out to me. The believers felt that what they had was not their own so they shared. They sold property and possessions and brought the money to the apostles to be used for people in need.  This was not a 'requirement.'  The property was theirs and the money was theirs.  They were doing an incredible thing by giving, but they were not required to do this.

Ananias and Sapphira became greedy.  They sold their property but only took a part of the money to the apostles.  Peter asked if this was everything they had.  Ananias said yes.

"Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received from the land?  Didn't it belong to you before it sold?  And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal?  What made you think of doing such a thing?  You have not lied to men but to God.'"  Acts 5:3-4

Peter was telling him it was his property and money, all he had to do was be honest about it.  It was the essentially the lie that hurt him and ended his life, but that lie started by greed.  In comes Sapphira, also full of greed, and she lied as well.  Ending her life.

Ananias and Sapphira gave with closed fists.  They held onto what they had and choose not to give all they had.

Luke 21 tells us of the rich and the widow.  The rich gave their large gifts.  They could give a lot because they had a lot.  But here you have the widow who only gave two small copper coins.  Her gift was so small, especially compared to the rich men.  But in truth, she gave more because she gave all she had.  She gave with open hands and gave everything.

Are you giving all you have?

You only give God twenty minutes a day because that is all you have.  But what about that time you sit and play video games or watch tv for hours on end?  You tithe, but only giving God eight percent of your income because you really 'need' that extra few dollars.  You give Him control of your life, but not the part that is addicted to p*rn.  You give God your attitude but not when it comes to that cranky old neighbor.

Are you giving to God with a closed fist or with open hands?  When you give with a closed fist, how can God fill it with blessings?  Friends, open your hands and give sacrificially to God and see how the blessings freely flow.

Sweet Blessings~
  




Linking with:
Thought Provoking Thursday

Grafe Cafe
Proverbs 31 Thursday

14 comments:

  1. All gave some, but some gave all. I don't want to hold anything back from God. As you said, only when we open our hands to God can He fill them with His blessings. Love this, Jenifer!

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  2. wonderful thoughts here! thank you for your ministry!

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  3. Hi Jenifer - I know I certainly have far more time that I waste, that I should be giving to Him. Thank you for the encouragement to be open-handed and not tight-fisted. The thing is, you cannot outgive God, so in being generous, He pours out more blessing. Great post Jenifer
    God bless
    Tracy

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  4. Enjoyed your post. My pastor did a sermon on this not too long ago, and it changed the way that my wife and I gave of ourselves. Not just in our financial giving, but of our time, and talents as well. God bless you.

    http://boydweeklydevotional.blogspot.com

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  5. When you give with a closed fist, how can God fill it with blessings? Great question, Jenifer!

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  6. I've always compared time and money... they really are the same in respect to what we give to Lord. Great encouragement with a healthy dose of conviction! Thanks Jenifer :)

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  7. I've noticed an interesting phenomenon. The more we give of ourselves or our funds, the more we have to give. I think that is part of the blessing and a wonderful way God handles finances! It takes faith to give, but when we trust Him, He will provide all we need and even more to share!

    Trusting Him, Joan

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  8. I am being challenged everywhere I read today...I want to live open-handed, but I'm afraid I find myself close-fisted most times.

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  9. Amen Jenifer, beautifully said.

    Blessings to you.

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  10. Amen Jenifer, beautifully said.

    Blessings to you.

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  11. Amen Jenifer! Wonderful encouragement today!

    Have a Blessed Day!

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  12. Our recent sermon series at church was on generosity. I firmly believe that we not only need to be generous with our finances, but with our time and gifts.

    Great post, Jenifer.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  13. Wonderful post! Our pastor spent a lot of time on this exact topic just last night in Wednesday night service which prompted a long conversation with my husband about us being givers. Giving all we have to give after all its not our to begin with. Love this post, thank you for sharing.

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  14. I love your truth and grace challenge to give it all. Thanks for linking up for Brag on God Fridays.

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your thoughts, I love hearing from you.