Do you ever find yourself cutting corners to save a buck? Maybe you get a lesser grade of unleaded gas for your car. Or maybe you buy a generic brand of an item instead of the better, more tested brand. You might even buy cheaper seats at a sporting event or a play to save money. For ourselves, these can be savvy and even wise decisions. But when it comes to God, we should never cut corners. We should always offer our absolute best. Moses says in Leviticus 22 verses 20 through 22:
"Do not bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. When anyone brings from the herd or flock a fellowship offering to the Lord to fulfill a special vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without defect or blemish to be acceptable. Do not offer to the Lord the blind, the injured or the maimed, or anything with warts or festering or running sores. Do not place any of these on the altar as an offering made to the Lord by fire."
This, of course, is referring to the sacrifice of animals to the Lord. Moses tells the Israelites not to cut corners; not to give God their leftovers. He tells them that they need to bring an acceptable sacrifice. And I submit to you, when it comes to anything we do for the Lord, we should bring him our best. Whether it be our financial gifts, our time, or our talents, whatever we are “giving” to the Lord needs to be our best. We may be tempted to hold back in our tithe because we’re saving for a trip, or we might not give our best effort when donating our time or talents for Christ because we are too tired or lazy. I encourage you to think differently. When it comes to God, always give your first and your best.
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When it comes to God, we should always give our best. If you attend one of the more “contemporary” churches in our country, you may be confused as to why in some of the more conservative churches, people dress up. In some, you’ll find men in suits and ties, women in beautiful dresses, and children dressed to the nines. For them, their appearance before the Lord is an expression of offering their best. To them, being in God’s presence is honored by looking their best. Where do you find yourself consciously giving your best to the Lord? After all, he is God Almighty. He created you. He died for you. He deserves nothing less than our best.