How strong is my grip? When I’m hanging onto the monkey bars, it’s not good. It’s embarrassing actually. When I’m hanging onto something I don’t want to surrender to God, my grip is superhuman. 

In my small group this week, we talked about making offerings to God. While God’s law demands the firstfruit of what God has given us, the psalms tell us it’s much more than that.

Psalm 51 says, “For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (vv. 16–17).

What God really wants is our surrendered spirit. 

When we tithe, do we do it out of obligation, or out of recognition that everything we have is God’s? When we serve at church or in our communities, are we doing it to be seen and praised or to bring glory to God’s name?

When you think about giving, money and time are probably the first two things you think of. But doesn’t everything belong to God? Shouldn’t we be living in a way that is ready and willing to give anything and everything to God?

Would you be willing to give up that job you love if God asked? Or the house that you’ve just finished renovations on? What about living in the same city, state or country as your friends and family? Would you be willing to uproot your entire life if God calls you?

Never forget that everything you have is God’s. He has just given it to you to steward for a short amount of time. He remains Master, Lord and Creator.

I challenge you today to examine your life and your heart. What are you clinging to? What’s keeping you from bowing with open hands in front of the throne of God? What He’s got for you is better than anything in this world.