Joel M Bradshaw

22Animals blind or disabled or mutilated or having a discharge or an itch or scabs you shall not offer to the LORD or give them to the LORD as a food offering on the altar.–Leviticus 22

I used to be a youth pastor and I remember people in the church wanting to donate old couches and chairs for usage in the student ministry areas. At some level it felt like the ones donating just wanted to get rid of beloved furniture they no longer wanted, but couldn’t excuse throwing away. And I was a new youth pastor looking to cheaply fill out a youth center. Nobody was claiming this was the height of generosity. Generosity would have looked like buying new or gently used furniture for those students! I encourage you to have that mind set with our text today.

1. The temptation was to give God what you no longer needed or didn’t place much value in. I can’t sell his mangled animal so instead I will offer it to God. He’ll take anything, right?
2. Instead you were to bring God your best, not your rest. Worship isn’t a matter of convenience or excuses. You come to God out of gratitude and devotion, not to check off a task list with whatever you have.
3. Does God get your best or your rest?–JMB