Give God Your Best
By Michelle S. Lazurek
“A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.” It is you priests who show contempt for my name.” But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’ “By offering defiled food on my altar. “But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’ “By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible. When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty. - Malachi 1:6-8
When I was in the third grade, we had a morning routine consisting of math and vocabulary papers we had to complete before recess. Students who finished their work before the allotted time was over could go to the back of the classroom and play with various puzzles and games while the other students finished their work. One day, I finished my work before anyone else. I strutted to the back of the classroom with a huge grin on my face. I played with the puzzles and games for over fifteen minutes before the second person came and joined me. This gave me a great sense of accomplishment and joy. This became my daily ritual, racing through my work to see how fast I could finish before everyone else. This was great until I received my first report card that year. I received my first D in math. It wasn't that I didn't understand the material; it was because I was rushing so fast to get to the games that I wasn’t putting in thoughtful and thorough attention to my work. I wasn't giving my teacher my best. After being grounded for two weeks with no television for my bad grade, I learned that thorough and thoughtful attention to my assignments was more important than doing my work half- heartedly.
According to this passage in Malachi, the Israelites had the same problem. Instead of giving God their best, they were giving God their blemished offerings to sacrifice on the altar. They were giving God the lame and blemished animals so they could keep the best for themselves. God gave them his unconditional love, but the Israelites gave him less than their best.
We sometimes have this problem too. We spend our work week distracted, scrolling our social media feeds, and talking to friends rather than working diligently as if working for the Lord. We don't put the time and attention our marriages (or relationships) require. We opt for fun activities like television, social media, video games, or other past times than we do about putting in the hard work of preaching the gospel or engaging in healthy, enriching relationships in our lives. This works, until it comes to our spiritual lives.
When our laziness spills into our spiritual lives, it can spell disaster for our relationship with God. Soon our shortened times of reading the Word and prayer get replaced completely by other fun activities or even the business of life. Before we know it, it's been months—or even years—since we've had quiet time with the Lord. God gives us his unconditional love, faithfulness, and presence whenever we ask. In return, some months we give him the leftover minutes – or even seconds—in our day.
Don't skimp on giving God the best of everything you have. God wants us to yield our lives to him. Not only this, but he wants us to do it with a sincere and cheerful heart. Give everything you have and watch as he gives you his faithfulness, sovereignty, love, and devotion in return.
Father, help us to turn our hearts back to you. Don't allow us to rush through our lives, missing out on your presence. Help us give you our best and in return receive your unconditional love and faithfulness. Amen.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
In what areas of your life do you sometimes fail to give God your best? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where you can improve. Strive to give God your best in every area of your life and watch as he blesses you richly.
Further Reading:
Colossians 3:23-24
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/pcess609
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