Scripture:
"Offer such a thing [as a blind or lame or sick animal] to your governor [as a gift or as payment for your taxes]. Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you graciously?" Says the Lord of Hosts. Malachi 1:8b AMP
There's a story in the Bible which tells us that Jesus Christ was in the synagogue, watching what everyone was dropping into the offering bowl, and at the end of it all he made a statement about the various amounts everyone had given. Imagine for a moment that Jesus was in church with you on Sunday, and he's sitting and watching what everyone is dropping, including yours and mine. What would he have to say about our gifts? Would it honour God and show appreciation for all he's done for us? In our scripture, we're being asked a simple question. The Offerings and gifts we bring into the house of God, what we drop as gifts to God, were we to present it to man, would they be accepted? Would it be a thoughtful gift, an acceptable gift? Would it honour the one receiving it? The torn and dirty notes, coins; can we give these out to our Governor's? Let's also think for a moment about how we present ourselves to God. Romans 12:1 says we are to "present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and well pleasing to God". The gifts we present to God; the cash, the items, and our bodies, do they fulfil these basic requirements from God? In the last line of our scripture, God uses his title "Lord of Hosts". Each time God presents himself like this, it shows that he's taken a stance and position as Army Commander. He's not discussing, neither is he asking for excuses and, he's ready to take over. He's demanding that we do the right thing and honour him. Next time we're dropping our offering, let's think about the state of the gift and importantly how right our hearts are with God.
Let's pray: Father, have mercy on me. Please accept me and my offerings and tithes. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen
