INVEST IN THE BEST
Richard Harris
Today’s Scripture: “When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 1:8, ESV
Theme: When we try to offer our leftovers instead of our first and best gifts, God is not deceived.
DIVESTING FROM GOD
Malachi was the last of the minor prophets, and his book is the last in the Old Testament. In today’s Scripture, Malachi was addressing the people who were being sloppy in their temporary sin-atoning sacrifices. Before Jesus’ permanent sacrifice, animals could be sacrificed to gain temporary righteousness by faith. The priests dishonored God when they used defective animals for sacrifice. They sacrificed contemptible food and defiled the LORD’s table (Malachi 1:12). Stolen, crippled and sick animals are not the sacrifices the LORD commanded… they are the equivalent of today’s leftovers, expired and unhealthy goods. Are we doing the same, in dishonoring God, when we do our least? When we give our best, we honor God in serving others through Jesus.
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus states, "And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" This verse emphasizes that serving others, especially those in need, is serving Jesus Himself. Showing kindness and compassion to others is showing kindness and compassion to Jesus.
In Malachi’s time, the people got lazy, and thus their sacrifices to God were wrong in that they started taking the easy way out. They disobeyed God’s mandates of sacrifice, they became careless and negligent, and they were short-cutting by taking the cheap way out. We can learn from this. How is your attitude towards God? When we use defective sacrifices, we are short-changing God. There is no lesser way. All in for Jesus (Matthew 16:25).
GOD’S LONG-TERM INVESTMENT
In our time, our sins have been atoned for directly through the sacrifice of Jesus. Just as the Israelite people, are we short-cutting by using the wrong methods? Do you live for the world, by going for the short-term gains (immediate gratification)? These may look good today, but what about the long-term consequences? By that, I mean eternal life. Providing those first fruits to Him now, may be a short-term consequence to your pocketbook, but the yield will be a long-term gain in His eternal Kingdom. God brought and invested His best to us… why should we not bring and invest our best to Him?
Make it Personal: Let’s start this off by making it personal since the theme may have triggered this thought… When your church, local school, or workplace asks for food donations, what do you give? Do you go through your pantry, looking for those items that have reached their expiration date? Are there food items,you no longer like? Perhaps, to meet personal health goals, you unload those items deemed unhealthy. Are you giving your best, or just a few leftovers? 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 tells us that GOD loves a cheerful giver. God has always been portrayed as a generous giver. How do we repay Him?
Pray: Almighty Father, You provide Your love and Grace in faithfulness to us every day. How are we responding? Are we living a lifestyle of personal holiness over our personal happiness? Are we fully treating You, as You promise to treat us every day? It is our intention, LORD, to invest our time, talents and treasures towards You, but - as human travelers of that spiritual path - we know we have a tendency to mix our long-term and short-term metaphors; deviating in small ways. This prayer, LORD, is to ask for Your patient help to keep our daily focus on our loving and embracing relationship, which has been gifted us through the ultimate sacrifice of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Read: Leviticus 4:35; Hebrews 9:22; Romans 8:18
Weekly Memory Verse: “But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10, NLT