Give All to God

A great temptation we will face as believers is to keep what should be given to God for ourselves.  A perfect example of this is found in Acts chapter 5 when Ananias and Sapphira kept back part of the price of the land.  Under the guise of bringing the full purchase price, Ananias laid a part of the total price at the feet of the apostles.  Acts 5:3-5 reads, "But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? [4] While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." [5] Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things."

God has granted all people talents and resources.  As followers of Christ we have the privilege of being led by the Holy Spirit.  Ananias was not influenced by God to give but by Satan.  There are any number of reasons why he lied and gave part instead of all, but none of those reasons make it right.  He paid for his sin with his life and great fear fell upon the people who heard of this.  Today as I was working wrapping duct, the phrase kept ringing in my head:  "While it remained, was it not your own?"  God has given us stewardship of earthly things for a little while.  The earth will pass away.  We have control over what we buy, sell, how we give, and what we keep for ourselves.  How we conduct ourselves will bring consequences to our lives, good or bad.

I wonder:  if Ananias could do it over again, would he give all to God or keep all for himself?  There is no middle ground.  As Gladys Aylward says, "God does not need our bits and pieces."  He wants all of us.  It is the lie of Satan for us to think it is o.k. to pretend to give all the glory to God but keep a little to stroke our egos.  It is not right to cast our burdens upon Christ but reserve a few to justify worrying or feeling sorry for ourselves.  Jesus did not give part of Himself on the cross.  I believe it is impossible for us to give all to God.  But what is impossible for us is possible with God, for all things are possible for them who believe.

Being a steward of the mysteries of the Gospel is a daunting, sober responsibility.  Let him who think he stands take heed lest he fall.  As the song says my heart shouts, "I surrender all...all to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all."  LORD, please make that a reality.  I cannot do this thing.  I am no better than Ananias.  I renounce all the times I have kept back part for myself when I should have given all.  I praise you for Your faithfulness, O God, for you are able to accomplish what concerns me today and always.