A mother whose son bring her a handful of dandelions with his heart full of love appreciates them because they come with love. I am sure you have received a gift given out of obligation. How did that make you feel? Not all that great, right? I’d rather not get a ‘gift’ from a person that I know is just attempting to gain favor or making sure to keep the score even. Some of the best gifts have no monetary value yet they are precious!
When you give to God, what is your motive? Are you just trying to appease Him, hoping He’ll keep trouble from coming your way? Are you just meeting minimal expectations, not wanting to look miserly? Or, do you give from your heart; your words, your prayers, your service, your offerings a reflection of your deep reverence and love for our Heavenly Father?
The last book in the Old Testament records the sermons of Malachi. He preached during a time when things were going relatively well for the People of God. Under Ezra and Nehemiah their nation and Temple was restored miraculously. The Persian Empire was enforcing a general peace which allowed them to live with some security in exchange for regular tax payments. Life was better for them than it had been for a long, long time. Were they thankful? For a time, then their fervent pursuit of God settled into a religious rut and soon they started acting like many of us do when things are good. They griped about God, questioned Him, and just met the minimal standards in their offerings.
Malachi, inspired by the Holy One, challenged them to get in wholeheartedly or stop playing games. As you read some of his words, think about how you serve and give to God.
"The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!
“But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’
“You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar. “Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?’
“You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?” asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings." (Malachi 1:6-10, NLT)
God wants our best or nothing. Worship that comes from duty, that is heartless, is an affront to Him! Remember Jesus’ words to a church that was without passion for Him? “Your lukewarm attitudes make me sick. I want to throw up when I think about your lack of enthusiasm.” (paraphrase of Rev. 3:16)
Look up today from the ‘stuff’ of life to wonder and worship. Engage your heart and mind in true worship. It will make your Heavenly Dad very glad!
_______________________
Give me one pure and holy passion,
Give me one magnificent obsession.
Jesus give me one glorious ambition for my life.
To know and follow hard after You.
To know and follow hard after You,
To grow as Your disciple in the truth.
This world is empty, pale, and poor,
Compared to knowing You my Lord.
Lead me on and I will run after You.
One Pure And Holy Passion
Altrogge, Mark © 1988 PDI Praise (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) / Dayspring Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
No comments:
Post a Comment