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.       

Giving God Our Best - Part 1

During World War II the expression "good enough for government work" meant something could hold up to the most rigorous standards.  Over the years that saying has been used in a more ironic sense, meaning something is minimally acceptable but far from the best quality.  I have to admit that I use that expression fairly often, always with the latter meaning in mind.  What's sad is how "good enough for church" can often be taken in the same way.  It ought to mean excellence for our great God, but instead can mean we're okay with mediocrity or worse.  In the book of Malachi we see God's own priests settling for less and get to hear what God has to say about that.
  

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, 'How have we despised your name?'...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?" 

Malachi 1:6-8 (ESV)

It's interesting that God doesn't reject these offerings solely based on His ceremonial laws.  Instead He asks these priests to consider their own cultural standards. What they offered to Him would have been dishonoring to human authorities, let alone the God of the universe!  Now let's be clear, this wasn't a case where the priests only had blemished animals to offer.  Simply put, they were withholding their best from Him. 

"Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the LORD Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations."

Malachi 1:14 (NIV)

So if they had the ability to offer God something better, why were they holding out on Him? Perhaps they were greedy and simply wanted to keep the best for themselves? That may have been part of their motivation, but God's diagnosis of their hearts reveals an even more tragic cause for their shoddy service to Him. 
  

"You profane me when you say, 'Worship is not important, and what we bring to worship is of no account,' and when you say, 'I'm bored—this doesn't do anything for me.' You act so superior, sticking your noses in the air... And when you do offer something to me, it's a hand-me-down, or broken, or useless."

Malachi 1:11-13 (The Message)

These priests did not recognize what an honor it was to be in their role of serving God and His people.  It seems there was a deficiency in their love and view of God which made worship and service seem like a chore or a burden, rather than a privilege.  That being said, we shouldn't get too comfortable pointing out their sins.  It's all too easy for us to fall into a similar pattern of irreverence and offensive offerings.  Next week, in Part 2, we'll try to make some practical applications from this study and explore what it looks like to give God our best and guard against the "good enough for church" mindset.          

Worship Workshops 2011

After a few years of having an "idea" for some small-scale worship seminars, I'm excited to share that the idea is finally becoming a reality with the launch of Worship Workshops 2011. We have a broad range of sessions that we hope to host here at Christ's Church in the coming year; some focused on worship leadership and theological discussions, others offering musical instruction.  The most exciting part about these workshops for me is that our goal is to involve as many churches in our community as possible.  We hope that this will bring unity and encouragement, sharing of ideas, and perhaps some special worship gatherings made up of various local churches.  Here are some of the sessions we are planning for the coming year.

The Heart of a Worship Leader (held on March 12th)

Acoustic Guitar (held on March 25th)

The Worship Band 

Worship Service Planning & Team Preparations

Electric Guitar

Percussion

Pastor & Worship Leader Relationship

Percussion for Vocalists

Vocals Part 1

Vocals Part 2 

Upcoming Worship Workshops: 

The Worship Band - Saturday April 9th, 2011   9am-12pm @ Christ's Church of Amherst 

A class designed for worship band instrumentalists and worship leaders. This workshop will tackle timing, dynamics, transitions, and developing parts for your instrument – learning what to play, when to play and when not to play. We will also discuss how to translate the recorded version of a song into an arrangement that your team. This session will include clips from Paul Baloche's Modern Worship Series.

Feel free to suggest other ideas for workshops using the comments section below.  Click here to sign up for the e-mail list so you can get the most current info. on these events as they are scheduled.