Every gift is a ‘loss’ and constitutes a minus to the giver; no wonder very few people have learnt to give without counting the cost. Does this mean one should not give? God asked Abraham who was childless up to the age of 100 years to give up his lawful son as a living sacrifice to Him. He did not say why, and He posed no condition.
“Abraham! Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” (Genesis 22:2) That was all the instruction Abraham received. The account states that “Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey.” (Genesis 22.3) to undertake the mission God had assigned him.
Isaac was the son born to Abraham in wedlock with Sarah, his wife. He was the promised son, the one for whom God had assured Abraham when the latter was worried that Eliezer of Damascus would be his heir. “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming out of your own body will be your heir.” (Genesis 15:4) After Abraham had a son with Hagar, Sarah’s maid, Abraham had believed that that child (Ishmael) was the child of promise. God again confirmed “…it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” (Genesis 21:13)
God had shown Abraham what the number of his offspring would be when he asked him to count the stars in the heavens. “Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them…So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5)
With these antecedents, it seemed Abraham had gone through a lot of stress to get a child of his own. Then after his wife had borne him a son, God who had given him the child, asked that the child be offered to Him as a living sacrifice. Why would a just God want to do that in the first instance? Doesn’t it seem rather unfair after Abraham had gone through all that trouble for him to be rid of the child in his adolescence? As the story unfolds, we realise that after all Isaac was not sacrificed. God put Abraham to the test and Abraham passed with flying colours. He was ready and willing to give away all that he had, the most precious of his possessions.
God’s intention was to assess Abraham’s faithfulness at that particular time. Was Abraham someone he could trust all the way? Did he really believe God was going to work a miracle through him? Was Abraham going to be able to bear giving up and parting with his son as a sign of obedience to God? Abraham displayed an attitude of absolute confidence in God under the circumstances and whatever the outcome. He put all his trust in the One who had given the child in the first instance. He did not look at the gift, he looked at the Giver, God. “By faith, Abraham when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.” (Hebrews 11:17)
Let go, let God
Abraham was willing to give up his son as a sacrifice to God when he was asked. What are we ready to part with if God should ask us today?
What sacrifice are we ready to make in the belief that God will recognise our sacrifice and recompense us adequately for it? What are we willing to lose to God without the certainty of getting anything back? All we have to do is to believe. He never does anything without a purpose in mind, many times for the person’s benefit.
How much of your time - and precious time at that - are you ready to give daily for worship, prayer, reading the Bible or to engage in intimate conversation with your Maker? This would be considered valuable time because God deserves the best of what we have to give - no leftovers or seconds will suffice for God.
How much have you been keeping for yourself or holding back? It will neither produce nor will it bear fruit for you until you surrender it wholly to God to multiply it. The more we keep for ourselves the poorer we get. The more we give to Him – that is sown into His kingdom, the richer and more prosperous we will become. Our cup will never run dry; it will become a constant spring to water all our endeavours and all we set our minds to do.
Self-centredness, greed and selfishness are obstacles to selfless giving. We ought to make some deliberate effort to rid us completely of this attitude. In our present world, we go to great lengths to amass wealth and earthly possessions and then worship them rather than bless others with them. Our disbelief deprives us of our rightful blessings in God’s kingdom.
God is demanding your Isaac – that which is most precious in your eyes and He wants you to let go off it NOW. What would be your response? God wants to test your faithfulness not in words but in action. God was pleased with Abraham’s reaction to his instruction “…and He credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)
It could be your turn tomorrow. Has God spoken to you lately and you are dragging your feet? Give Him your Isaac that He may do marvels for you, so that His name may be glorified through you.
