Giving Up
An important biblical principle teaches that the more tightly we hold on to something, the more certain it is that we will lose it.
See how this applies to the subject of stewardship. Numerous passages in the Bible warn of the impoverished end of greed and promise rich blessings to the one who shares his wealth. Proverbs 3:9-10 is an example: “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Also, Paul writes, “…whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6). Remember that the Lord called a man a “fool” because he clutched his riches tightly and refused to share with others in need (Lk. 12:20).
Applications of this principle can also be found in passages on leadership. Jesus said, “But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave” (Mt. 20:25-27). Peter taught elders to exercise oversight, “not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3). When leaders try to seize power by forcing those under them into submission, they lose influence, and when it comes to leadership, influence is everything.
The idea of gaining more by letting go also applies to our salvation. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt. 16:24-25). Paul called it “presenting your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1). You have to give up your life before it can be saved.
Why does it seem that in every area of life the Bible is advising us to let go of things in order to gain more? Is sacrifice really the secret to spiritual success?
The reason why this principle is so pervasive in Scripture is because it is linked to the concept of faith. Faith is the only response to God that will result in salvation (Rom. 3:28; 4:4-5; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8). When a person has faith in God, he depends on God completely. He no longer strives with his own strength.
Christianity is about fully trusting Christ for every need and believing that he is able to bless us beyond anything we have imagined (Eph. 3:20). The best life is the one we give up.
Drew Kizer