In 2024, give the Lord your best – the best of your time, strength, beauty, talent, skill, money, and the best version of yourself. Don’t compromise on the quality and quantity of your giving to the Lord. Give Him the first place and first priority in your life.
Before giving anything to Him, ask yourself, “Would I give this to the people in authority, my most respected ones, my most beloved people, or my spouse?”
And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” says the Lord of hosts.
(Malachi 1:8)
God wants you to present yourself in the best way possible when you come into His presence. It’s not about how big your offerings are or wearing expensive clothes to church. It’s about giving your best to the Lord, for He is a great King and His Name should be glorified. God does not accept polluted offerings.
“You offer defiled food on My altar,…
(Malachi 1:7)
…“And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” says the Lord.
(Malachi 1:13)
When you “can” give your best to the Lord but withhold it for some reason or give something substandard instead, or when you give something that’s below the standard of what you’ve vowed to the Lord, God hates it.
“But cursed be the deceiver who has in his flock a male, and takes a vow, but sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished—for I am a great King,” says the Lord of hosts, “And My name is to be feared among the nations.
(Malachi 1:14)
Most importantly, before your offerings and sacrifices could be accepted by the Lord, you yourself need to be found acceptable by the Lord.
“But now entreat God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, will He accept you favorably?” says the Lord of hosts.
(Malachi 1:9)
It starts with having the fear of God and revering Him.
…For I am a great King,” says the Lord of hosts, “And My name is to be feared among the nations.
(Malachi 1:14)
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? says the Lord of hosts…
(Malachi 1:6)
Even while serving the Lord or giving your tithes and offerings, you do it with contempt, disrespect, and you find it tiring and wearisome. And you just want to get done with it as soon as possible. You don’t have your heart into it. You do it as a chore. You find it burdensome.
On the contrary, you’re all enthusiastic at work and when spending time with your loved ones. You give all your energy to them. But you have no time for the Lord and your relationship with Him is transactional. You bargain while giving to the Lord. You look down upon the Lord and His work.
You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” says the Lord of hosts. “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” says the Lord.
(Malachi 1:13)
Next, God wants you to keep away every evil and sin and shut the door on Satan, so you could walk righteously before the Lord. He doesn’t want you to defile yourself with sin. He wants you to keep your hands clean. He wants you to keep the Fire of the Holy Spirit burning inside you. He wants you to shut the door and not allow Satan to enter your life and not allow him to put off the Fire inside you.
Otherwise, God will find no pleasure in you, nor accept your offerings.
“Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you,” says the Lord of hosts, “Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.
(Malachi 1:10)