Not Every Offering Is A Sacrifice

There is a saying that we should give until it hurts. Certainly, this phrase can be used in several different ways. One of which is to describe the biblical teaching of sacrifice. In the Old Testament, we read about multiple examples of offerings such as: burnt, drink, meal and trespass (or wrong doing). The very first offering we see in the Bible is found in Genesis when God sacrifices one of Adam's ribs to create Eve. Shortly after, we see offerings made to God by both Cain and Abel. One sacrifice was acceptable the other was not.

God continues to give us examples of pleasing and acceptable offerings throughout the New Testament. Look in Mark 12 (41-44) where we read about the poor widow who only put in a few cents into the temple treasury. After seeing this, Jesus declares that this woman, unlike many of the wealthy people, truly sacrificed!

It is important to remember that even though every sacrifice is an offering not every offering is a sacrifice. An offering is when you give something to someone. A sacrifice is when you give up something for someone. Just like in biblical times, many still continue to offer God their leftovers. We offer God our leftover time, attention and money. And the enemy will lie to us that God understands just as long as we are offering something. When we give whatever is left, we fail to sacrifice and give Him our first fruits. This is neither pleasing or acceptable to God because we are not putting Him first.

Are you simply offering God some of your time? Your money? Your comfort? Or, are you truly sacrificing and giving Him all the best that you have just as He did for you...

Pastor Aaron