Holding Loosely

Our belongings become so personal to us that we hold onto them so closely.

Genesis 22:1-24

Reference:  v.9  When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.  He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. (NIV Bible)

Explore:  This is an amazing story of faith, one that most parents would find hard to fathom.  The thing is, Abraham was so committed to God that he held loosely that which he had here on earth… even his own son.  This is quite a confronting story for everyone as we are challenged about our dedication to God.  Often we are not even willing to give our money or our time to honour and worship God, let alone our own offspring.

Application:  Our belongings become so personal to us that we hold onto them so closely.  And yet if we have the understanding that all things are a gift from God, then we would be much more likely to hold on to all things loosely.  Now, God doesn't not always call us to give back everything, but He does call us to worship only Him and to be generous to others.  It's so easy to cling tightly to what we have been blessed with and horde it rather than bless others with what we have.  Abraham has given us a tremendous example of how to truly worship God and how to hold lightly that which we have here on earth.

Prayer: Lord, you have blessed us with so much.  May we only hold loosely that which You have given and be willing to bless others with our resources.  Amen.

What things, here on earth, are you holding on to tightly?

Genesis