“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17, ESV)
Have you ever gone on an organizing spree at home. sorting things for a garage sale or to donate to charity? It took time, but when you looked at the stack of things that will soon be gone, it felt good. Most of those things were probably used or possibly gifts that didn’t work for you. While the items were still useful, they weren’t your best. You kept the good stuff for yourself.
Keeping the best for ourselves is fine when organizing a garage sale. It is not the best plan, however, when it involves our relationship with the Lord.
A LESSON ON PRIORITIES
Malachi, whose name means “Messenger,” wrote the last book of the Old Testament. We know nothing about his personal life. He did not tell us about his parentage, where he lived, or any other details. All we know is that he was the last prophetic voice Israel heard for the next 400 years. For four centuries God remained silent.
Within this short, four-chapter book the prophet describes how an entire nation chose to give God less than their best. Their offerings to the Lord were damaged castoffs, the rejects. When they brought their sacrifices to the Temple, they kept the strong, healthy animals for themselves. God got damaged goods.
“When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 1:8, ESV)
The priests and the people showed a sad lack of honor and respect for God. Their worship was neither sincere nor heartfelt. They found it a “weariness” (Malachi 1:13). Their actions were more than apathy. They showed contempt for the things of God. Worship was a meaningless burden to them. Is it any wonder that God turned away and fell silent?
A DUTY OR A JOY?
We may think, “Oh, we would never treat the Lord that way.” But do we always give Him our best? Does He hold first place in our lives? Or does our worship sometimes feel wearisome, a burden, a duty to fulfill rather than a joy to express? Has God become an afterthought in our schedules, something to fit in rather than make a priority? God doesn’t want our leftovers, our garage sale castoffs. He desires our true worship.
Mark 12:30 tells us that we are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (ESV). This describes total devotion. We don’t just “fit Him in” when it is convenient. We make God the top priority in our lives. We give Him our best.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
- Am I putting God first with my time, talents, and treasures?
- Do I find joy in serving God or has it become a weariness?
- If God is not first in my life, what is?
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
