And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 1:8

Do we give God our best or do we give Him what is left?

Do we give the world better than what we give God?

Under the Old Testament law service, offerings were to be made from the best of the flock. God was not pleased when Israel would offer sacrifices that were lame, blind or already torn. Perhaps those actual lame animals were easier to see than what is offered today in many of the lives of His children. But the truth is — most offerings given to God today are lame.

We spend ourselves in personal pleasure, entertainment and achievement. Further, we make sure we please our earthly boss so that we do not lose the ability to pursue those things.

But what is left?

Even if we do take time for worship, have we prepared our hearts and minds to receive the word? Do we seek further self gratification in worship or are we truly there to honor God? Are we so exhausted from being busy that we give our leftover devotion to our Redeemer? Paul tells us what our focus should be every day.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1-2

We are to be living sacrifices. We are to give our very best to the Lord first. This is quite reasonable (logical) since it is by the mercies of God we are sustained every day. And it is by the design of the mercy and grace of God that we have been able to present ourselves this way.

Let us, therefore, transform our minds and lives that we may discover by practical experience what a blessing a life devoted to God truly is.