Life With An Open Hand

This phrase- “Live with an open hand”- has been the theme of my heart for the last few weeks. The more I think about it and the more I ask The Lord about it, the more He is showing me that this is how He is calling us to live!

Picture for a moment, your hands spread open in front of you. What do you think of? Giving a gift? Or perhaps receiving a gift? Welcoming a friend into your home? A warm embrace? Helping someone in need or reaching to pick up a child in your arms? All of these things speak of an open hand! You probably wouldn’t be able to do any of them very well with your hands clenched tightly, would you?

I would like to share with you two beautiful examples from God’s Word of people who lived with an open hand…

Acts 3:1-8 (NLT)
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

(I just love what Peter said: “But I’ll give you what I have!”)


Acts 4:32-35 (NLT)
All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

Don’t look at what you DON’T have to give and be discouraged, give what you HAVE! An open hand gives freely, and an open hand receives freely.

2 Corinthians 9:7-11 (NLT)
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,

“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
   Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

Living with an open hand is not just about giving and receiving money or possessions. It’s about living with an open life! Whatever good thing you have- whether it be Godly wisdom, your time, friendship, love, hospitality, kindness, encouraging words, or resources (the list goes on!)- was given to you so you can share it with others! So never again say that you don’t have anything to give, just open your hand and give what you have. Remember this: an open hand is an open heart, which will bring you to an open life!