Giving God Our Best Part 2

In Part 1 we looked at the book of Malachi and saw quite clearly that God desires the best of what His people have to offer to Him, not the leftovers. We also noted that the unacceptable offerings the priests made were directly related to their low view of God. But when it comes to practical application in our own lives, it might be difficult for us to relate to the Levitical priesthood and animal sacrifices in ancient Israel. So here's a few more considerations that can help us discern what giving God our best looks like in the 21st century.  

First, we need to recognize that God has put a different calling on each of our lives, according to the abilities he's given us and the resources He has entrusted us with.

"...the Lord has chosen Bezalel...and he has filled him with the Spirit of God...with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze..." 
Exodus 35:30-32

"...Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord..." 
1 Chronicles 25:6-7

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work." 
1 Corinthians 12:4-6

God doesn't expect us to be excellent at something we haven't been called to or equipped for.  If you aren't clear on what God has called you to or what abilities and resources you could be using in service to Him, it's important to discover that. Pray about it. Do some brainstorming. What are you good at? What personal resources could be of kingdom use? What needs do your church and community have? Keep in mind that God will often use our weaknesses too. Seek counsel from other believers, sometimes they see something in us or sense a call on our lives that we don't. 

Secondly, God desires sacrificial giving, but whether an offering is truly sacrificial or not is somewhat relative. Consider this example from Luke 21 about giving our possessions.

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Luke 21:41-44

How might this play out with talent or skills? I'll put myself under the microscope for this one. Out of the "wealth" of training and experience I have as a guitarist it's possible for me to barely practice and still play the songs sufficiently during a service. I don't make a habit of this, but if I'm honest it does happen sometimes. On the other hand, I've had students that pay for weekly lessons and practice a lot just to be able to lead their congregations in song. So on a Sunday where I've done minimal preparation, I may still end up playing better than they do. But I believe in God's eyes the other guitarists are putting "more into the treasury." 

We could go on with different scenarios but the bottom line is that God will hold us accountable for what we did with the time, talent and treasure He has given us. Did we use it for His glory and purposes? Or did we dedicate most of it to lesser things? Do we desire to bring Him sacrificial offerings because we love Him? Or are we trying to get away with giving as little as possible because ultimately we're not convinced that God is worth our best? These are important questions to ask ourselves and check our hearts on. 

In closing there's something we should never forget as we consider these things. Even our best still falls short of what our holy God deserves, and in and of ourselves we are not even worthy to come before Him to worship and serve. Thanks be Jesus for cleansing us with His blood, so that we can come confidently before God's throne and have the privilege of offering our lives as living sacrifices.