The Ten Commandments: Devotions From Time Of GraceSample

The Seventh Commandment: No Leftovers, Please   

When God asked the Israelites in the Old Testament to bring him offerings, they brought him sick sheep, deformed goats, and blind bulls. “After all,” they might have thought, “God owns everything, so why should it matter? We can keep the good ones.”

God rebuked them, “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. ‘Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me’” (Psalm 50:9,10,14,15).

God gave quality sheep and bulls to the Israelites. More than that, he gave the priceless sacrifice of his Son who would come as their Savior. And ours. God doesn’t hold back his best. 

God asks us for good offerings, not leftovers. God wants our love and our faithful obedience to his saving name expressed in the quality of our gifts. He gives us so much that we have every opportunity to give back what is good.

We want to give God our love, our joyful generosity, yes, ourselves. Our best. Not leftovers. You can’t out give God. So when he asks for your first and best instead of your leftovers, don’t worry. Give it to him. He can give you more. Perhaps even what is better.