Suggested Reading: Malachi 1:6-14
I was flipping through the channels recently and discovered an old favorite, Sister Act. In the movie Whoopi Goldberg stars as Delores, a Reno lounge singer who is having an affair with the underworld kingpin running the casino in which she sings. After making her angry, her married boyfriend sends her a gift which almost wins her back, a purple mink coat. The gift works until she finds his wife's name embroidered inside and realizes that not only has he given her his wife's coat but it was probably one she wouldn't miss, a gift that cost nothing to give.
I was flipping through the channels recently and discovered an old favorite, Sister Act. In the movie Whoopi Goldberg stars as Delores, a Reno lounge singer who is having an affair with the underworld kingpin running the casino in which she sings. After making her angry, her married boyfriend sends her a gift which almost wins her back, a purple mink coat. The gift works until she finds his wife's name embroidered inside and realizes that not only has he given her his wife's coat but it was probably one she wouldn't miss, a gift that cost nothing to give.
Unfortunately, at times, we treat God the same way Delores's married boyfriend treated her, giving God the leftovers that we won't miss. In Malachi chapter 1, the Old Testament prophet saw his people making sub-par offerings to God, bringing God the things they wouldn't use anyway, the things they wouldn't miss. God spoke through the prophet, saying, “When you present a blind animal for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present a lame or sick animal, is it not wrong? Bring it to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the Lord of Hosts (Malachi 1:8, HCSB). The people brought their offerings to God, but they only brought the things they weren't going to use, the leftovers; the things that wouldn't actually cost them anything.
How often do we offer God our own sloppy seconds? How often do we give God our leftovers or the things we're not going to use? Do we give our financial offerings after all our other bills have been paid and we know what we have leftover? Do we wait to commit our time until we have scheduled in all of our work obligations and sports games and leisure time, giving God whatever time is left? Do we set aside time to spend with God in prayer and Bible study or do we just try to fit it in around everything else we actually plan for? Do we want to work for God but tire ourselves out so that God only gets whatever energy we haven't yet used?
Our Heavenly Father, who offered us the best he had to give, His only Son, deserves our first and our best. Don't offer God your leftovers. God can tell when we give him only what we're not going to miss.
Very thought provoking. Thank you.
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