August 27 – Offer Your Gift With A Pure Heart
God warned Israelites to stop the pretense and walk uprightly with him. The Creator accused Israelites of attempting to bribe him with their fat offerings while they live in sin. Jehovah insisted he would not accept the offerings. God emphasized that Israelites must prioritize righteousness above their generous giving; they must relate with him with pure hearts before he could accept their gifts. God said,
“Though you offer me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water And righteousness like a mighty stream” (Amos 5:22-24).
Lesson:
God is not a man, and cannot be deceived by a gift of any size. Jehovah will only receive an offering that is presented to him from a pure heart. For God to accept an offering, it must come from a pure heart, and without the giver having an ulterior motive. Therefore, since God is concerned so much with honest offerings, his children should also prioritize them. Children of God must sing songs of praises and offer our dances to God with honesty. No child of God should sacrifice his or her resources to God with a hidden agenda – since God will not be satisfied. All praises and honor must be given to God without reservations!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, how best can I serve you, and how can I offer an acceptable sacrifice to you? I have realized that you cannot be deceived with a dishonored gift – no matter how significant it appears! Please help me to serve you without ulterior motives. Let me be sincere with my gifts, and let them come from a pure heart. Let my sacrifices of thanksgiving satisfy you, and enable me to maintain consistent services to you so that I can be qualified to receive your blessings. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
