“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” (Luke 15:4, KJV)
We would complain if we worked all of the required hours and our employer only gave us half the agreed-upon salary. Yet, many Christians give God 99 percent when He asks for total commitment.
How does God feel when His children only give part of themselves instead of all? Do we tend to give God the leftovers rather than the main course? Some might even think God should be happy we gave anything at all. But God is not pleased with mediocrity.
Aaron’s sons thought they could give God whatever they wanted. They offered God what the Bible calls “strange fire.” It cost them their lives.
“And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” (Leviticus 10:1-2, KJV)
We must be careful not to think if we give God something, He’s pleased. God wants everything; He’s a jealous God (Deuteronomy 6:15, KJV). He wants all of us, not 99 percent. After all, He held nothing back on the cross.
In Acts 5:1-11, we read that Ananias and Sapphira were instructed to sell everything and bring the money back to the disciples to distribute evenly to needy people. However, Anaiah and Sapphira decided to hold back part of what they sold. Ultimately, it cost them their lives.
We don’t want to be selfish like Ananias and Sapphira. We want to give God all, not some, not part, but everything. If we hold back, there will be a disastrous ending.
We live in a world where mediocrity is normal. Rather than taking time to study the Bible, we pick out individual verses to help us get through a rough day or week, month, or even year, but the reality is that we need to study the whole Bible.
When I think about His mercy and grace and what the Lord has done for me, my husband, and my kids, how can I give Him less than my best?
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, KJV)
When I think of the goodness of Jesus,
And what he has done for me,
My soul cries out, “Hallelujah!”
Praise God for saving me.
(Public Domain)
God is not a halfway God. He is not a percentage God. He doesn’t look at numbers like we do. He doesn’t look at time the way we do.
With God, it’s all or nothing.
God said He would collect on His investment (Exodus 34:14, Nahum 1:2). I want to hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (II Corinthians 9:7, KJV)
I pray I never get comfortable, thinking God will be pleased with me giving Him a little access to my life. Jesus died on the cross to redeem my life from destruction. I choose to give Him everything!
PRAYER: Lord, make us more aware of your sacrifice on the cross. You love me, but you expect 100 percent of me in return. I will give you all.
1 Comment
I don’t think Ananias and Saphira were told to sell everything. It was left up to individual. They died because they lied about it. If they had simply said we sold the land for x amount but want to give Y amount it would been fine. (Acts 5:4) At least, that’s how I interpret it. Perhaps I’m missing something.
I do not mean to offend or embarrass anyone. I am concerned that whoever edits the articles for the upci ia not being careful. I realize no one is perfect, especially me, and mistakes happen.
I do appreciate those who write and encourage us with these devotionals. I most certainly agree that we must give Jesus everything.
Best regards,
Marie