Do not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw in it, for that would be detestable to him. Deuteronomy 17:1
Giving to others is something that some people do on a regular basis. It often appears good and that they are being very generous, that is until what they are really giving is looked at.
There are many people who bring things to Goodwill or to Salvation Army that are not worth giving. They often give wore out or have broken things to those in need. It is rare, to never, that the best things are given to any one in need. Only the leftovers or rejects are given.
This can often happen in the church in the same way. There are many people who give tithes and offerings to God, but they are only giving the leftovers or the rejects to God. They do not give the best.
These offerings are not only the physical cash offerings, but their time and efforts. Time and thought is not put into working in a ministry. Focused effort is rarely done with studying God’s word or being a witness. The focus of many people is self or this world, rather than on God and His kingdom. The busyness of this world often leads people to give what is left, and not the best.
God had told the Israelites not to offer any sacrifice that had a defect in it. During that time, they offered physical sacrifices of animals. What people would do would be to offer a defective sheep or ox to God as their offering to Him for one of the festivals. God would find this detestable, because they were giving to get rid of, not to honor and bless God.
Every believer needs to give God his best and trust God for the rest. Give the best of time, money, and effort.
Take time today to focus on what you are giving God. Allow God to have the first and best of everything you have, your time, energy, abilities, and money. Do not give Him only the leftovers or what you really don’t want anyways.
Take time to give God the best of you. Allow God to change the worst in you, but give Him the best, while in the process of change.
How is your giving to God today?
I pray today that you will give to God with a willing heart; that you will give God all of yourself; that you will give God the best; and that you will honor God in all of your giving.
This is awesome and so true. Many times we do not give God our best not only through our tithe but you mentioned our time. God wants 10% of our best and that is all he asks. What about our time? He gives us 24 hours a day, how much of that do we give back to him? This was a great post.
It is a good question for each of us to ask ourselves. Thank you for reading and the comment. Have a very blessed day in the Lord!