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