“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16 ESV)
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6 ESV)
What does it mean to sacrifice? Well, according to google, sacrifice means, “An act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to God or to a divine or supernatural figure.”
I was reading my Bible last night and was reading about Abraham and Sarah. You know, the ones who were old and then had a child? But did you know that God asked Abraham to give his son as a sacrifice? Now Isaac was the only son Sarah had. Do you think she might have been a little upset when she heard that? It doesn’t say what her reaction was. Then think about Isaac. He was still a boy. I bet he thought, “Great! A road trip with Dad. This should be fun” Wonder what he thought when dear old dad tied him up and placed him on the altar? I don’t know about you but I would have some serious trust issues after that. But God provided a ram for the sacrifice. God just wanted to know that Abraham was willing to give his only son.
Would you? If God asked you to give something you really loved to someone, would you? You should and do it willingly and happily. God always supplies our needs. But He wants to know we will willingly sacrifice something in return.
There was a time when I gave a homeless person the last $5 I had. Payday was still several weeks away and I needed gas in my car. But I gave it willingly and the next day I received a check in the mail for several hundred dollars. See? God provided and more than I actually needed at the time.
That is how our God is. If we are willing to give a little sacrifice, God will meet our needs in a big way. So if you feel impressed to help someone, maybe give someone money or things, do it. God maybe using you to bless them.
Kathy Keller
Writer and Prayer warrior with Answers2Prayer Ministries
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