As I was reading through the book of Malachi this morning, that very question popped into my head. Perhaps God was speaking to me personally, or perhaps it's a question that all of us should ask ourselves from time to time. It's GOOD to examine our relationship with God on a regular basis, isn't it?
In the book of Malachi God accused his people of not honoring him and of despising his name...
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master:
if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you,
O priests, that despise my name.
And ye say, wherein have we despised thy name?
Malachi 1:6
by (and I paraphrase)...You offer impure bread on my altar. It's watered down with no leaven and mixed with garbage. You offer blind, lame and sick sacrifices to me. Would you give that junk to the governor and would he accept it and give respect to you for it. Then why would you expect me, the almighty God, one greater than your governor, to accept what you are offering, when you have better things to offer me? I know you have better because I gave them to you.
He goes on to say...you close the doors to the church house or just don't go to services because you don't want to be inconvenienced. You neglect praying or kindling a fire on my altar because you just don't "feel" like it and you say that church is just too much work. It's a bother and you're weary with it!
Plus, you are robbing God. You withhold your goods from me. The very goods that I gave you.
Wow, that's some pretty strong talk from the almighty to his people! Yet while I was reading through this, the Lord questioned me about the offerings and sacrifices I bring to him and if they are my best. Now I will say that I do pay my tithes and give into the offering faithfully, but that's not the areas the Lord was questioning me about. Giving and making sacrifice to the Lord involves more than just money, much more.
They involve giving of our time, efforts, talents and substance; and, giving the best of those things.
Do I give 100% of my efforts when it comes to praise, worship, prayer and bible study or do I give blind, lame and sick excuses of why I don't or can't? Is attending services still special, exciting and important to me or have I become weary and tired of church and of God?
Admittedly I have some work to do in some of these areas. How about you?
Are you giving your BEST or LESS to the ONE who deserves the MOST?
