Ever heard of Ananias and Sapphira? When it was time to sell their possessions and to give the proceeds to the apostles to be distributed among everyone along with everyone else’s giving, guess what they did. They held some of it back. The must have figured their possessions belonged to them, and apparently forgot all that we have belongs to the Lord. Do you know what happened when their sin against God was discovered? They dropped dead.
Somehow we get it in our human heads that our bodies, and hearts, and minds, and lives, our gifts and blessings, our property and possessions and provisions, belong to our greedy selves. The truth is all that we have belongs to the Lord, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.
Is there anything you’re holding back from God? A talent? A calling? Your time? Your love and devotion? Your thought life? Your work? That you know what you’ve been looking at on the Internet when nobody else is looking? Your work? Family? House? Bank account? Something else?
Instead of holding onto it any longer, why not give it to the Lord? Just because you haven’t dropped dead from holding onto what God wants you to let go doesn’t mean you’re not paying the price or suffering the consequences – or that won’t ultimately pay.
Jesus Christ died on the cross a horrific death to pay the penalty for our sins. He gave up His life for us. Isn’t it the very least we can do to believe in Him and live for the Lord?
Is it time to let go? Quit holding back.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 ESV
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 7After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether youa sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. Acts 5:1-11 ESV Please visit Walk by Faith Ministry at https://www.walkbyfaithministry.com.
1 Comment
This is just what I have been seeking!