I don’t know about you, but for me it is more difficult to eat right than to exercise consistently. Both are good, and both take a level of dedication and willpower. But for some reason, for me at least, it is easier to do what is right, like exercising – than to abstain from doing what’s wrong like eating too much. So, where am I going with this? In our walk with God, for some, it may be easier to do what’s right like sacrificing our time, energy and talents for God than to abstain from doing what’s wrong, like disobeying God’s commands. Proverbs 21 verse 3 explains God’s view on such matters:
"To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice."
I believe in another place in the bible God says that he prefers obedience over sacrifice. So, doing what is just and right, or being obedient to God’s commands is better than presenting sacrifices or denying ourselves for the cause of Christ. Both are good and both take a level of dedication and discipline. Which do you find is the easier task? For me it has always been easier to sacrifice than to be sinless. And this verse of scripture tells me that it should be the other way around.
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Proverbs 21:3 reminds us to “do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice”. Both are good, but we need to prioritize the way God wants us to. By sacrifice, God could mean the killing of animals which would only apply to the Israelites. But I think the intent of this scripture extends to any form of sacrifice. If that is true, then obeying God’s commands, or maintaining a blameless life, as free from sin as possible, is more important than all of the charity work, money donations, or selfless deeds anyone can sacrifice.