What does the Bible say about the importance of bringing nothing in our hands to God?

In Ezra 9, the central theme illustrated by Ezra is the necessity of approaching God without any human merit or works. Ezra spread out his hands to the Lord, acknowledging his inability to earn favor through righteousness. This reflects the theological stance that human efforts are insufficient for salvation, a sentiment echoed throughout Scripture. Romans 4:5 and Titus 3:5 further affirm that we are saved not by works of righteousness but by God's mercy, highlighting the spiritual truth that we are entirely dependent on God's grace for redemption.