|
|
August 08, 2008
Giving Your Best
"Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish,
or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God."
Deuteronomy 17:1
God's love moved Him to sacrifice that which meant the most to Him-His only Son. Our response,
if we truly understand His love for us, is the desire to give back to God that which means the
most to us.
The Old Testament reveals that God set forth high standards for the sacrifices He required of
His people. A worthy sacrifice had to cost the people something. As their hearts shifted away
from God, the people began struggling to give God costly offerings. They would bring blind,
lame, and sick animals, assuming God could not tell the difference (Mal. 1:8). God saw what
they were doing and declared their offerings to be in vain (Mal. 1:10). Throughout the Old
Testament period, God was setting the stage for the ultimate, perfect, and sinless sacrifice of
His Son for the sins of humanity.
The offerings we give back to God reveal our hearts' condition. A heart that overflows with
gratitude for God's love will respond in selfless devotion. If we are unwilling to sacrifice
our time, our possessions, our money, or our energy, we indicate that we do not love God as He
desires. God takes delight in the person who gives to Him cheerfully out of a loving heart, a
person who understands that God is the source of everything he has and who knows that God will
more than compensate for whatever is sacrificed for Him (2 Cor. 9:8).
If you struggle in giving your best offerings to God, pause and reflect on what God sacrificed
for you. Trust Him and give Him the best that you have because you love Him with all your heart.
First
Previous
Calendar
Next
Today
|
|
|
