Paltriness for God

Scripture: Malachi 1:13

"You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it," says the LORD of hosts, "and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?" says the LORD.

Insights: These priests had become tired of their job.  The responsibility of sacrificing animals day in and day out had become a nuisance to them.  As a result they stuck their noses in the air toward God.  Let me do a side not teaching for a moment.  I preach out of the New American Standard Bible because it is the most literal word for word translation.  This truth does not always mean it is the best translation.  For example in this verse gazal is translated robbery.  The New International Version translates it more accurately as injured; and in the context of the entire verse an injured animal that has been torn apart from prey, but not killed, is the best meaning of the verse.  So, even though twenty-five of the thirty-one times gazal is used it is properly translated robbery, in this verse it is not as accurate.  Here is the side teaching point.  We need to read lots of different translations to get the full nuance of a passage.  We don’t need to be pharisaical and say only one version is the acceptable version.  We must grow in grace and multiple Scripture versions help us do just that.  Now back to the passage: worship had become routine and what was being offered was the bare minimum, even to the point of bringing animals that had been damaged by wild beasts.  At this point I think it would do us well to read some quotes from men who give us the proper perspective of worship.  John Piper wrote, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”  G. K. Chesterton said, “the absence of praise reveals that our religion is more a theory than a love affair.”  G. H. Mallone said, “A man must respond to the One who has given him everything.  Not to do so is the highest form of ingratitude and self-sufficiency.”  We need to give God all of our gratitude because of the love affair we have with Him, which results in our finding satisfaction in Him alone.  If we are bringing the bare minimum to worship, then we are not finding satisfaction and love in Him and we will not be grateful worshippers.  Beloved, let’s bring God everything we have to offer Him!

Questions:

1. Are you giving God your leftovers for worship?
2. Are you finding satisfaction in the Lord?

Prayer: Father, I want my satisfaction to be in Your and You alone.  I want my heart to truly be in a love affair with You.  Stir my passions for You and the things that pertain to You.  Amen.