Paul once told the brethren in Corinth that they should “earnestly desire the best gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31). They were guilty of desiring less than the best when they wanted to speak in tongues. Paul explained to them that speaking in tongues was inferior to the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:18-25) and that love was superior to all spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). He was saying that when an individual desires less than the best for the Lord’s cause, he has missed the mark.
When modern day Christians desire to only render second-rate service to God, they make the same mistake as the Corinthian brethren did. We must put the kingdom of God "first" in our lives (Matthew 6:33), denying personal whims (Luke 9:23). We need to allow our Lord to have complete control of our lives (Romans 12:1; Galations 2:20).
The law of Moses taught the same lesson. Only the "firstfruits" were to be given (Leviticus 2:12-16; Leviticus 23:10-11), and only the best of the flocks and herds were acceptable (Deuteronomy 12:6; Deuteronomy 14:23; Deuteronomy 15:19-23).
Some brethren believe that the Lord’s church should operate on a second-rate basis. If they were in charge of finances, they would literally pinch every penny until it cried! When God’s work is curtailed because someone is trying to “save a buck,” it presents the idea that folks in responsible positions are not the dedicated people they should be.
Beloved, when we don’t provide the best that we have as an offering before God, we sin! (Leviticus 22:18-25; Malachi 1:8-14). Jesus didn’t mind paying the supreme price for the church (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 9:11-14), and neither should we.
None of us are worthy of heaven (Isaiah 64:6-7), but God still loves us anyway (John 3:16; Romans 5:8-11). Therefore, let us produce and give our best for the cause of Christ!
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
When modern day Christians desire to only render second-rate service to God, they make the same mistake as the Corinthian brethren did. We must put the kingdom of God "first" in our lives (Matthew 6:33), denying personal whims (Luke 9:23). We need to allow our Lord to have complete control of our lives (Romans 12:1; Galations 2:20).The law of Moses taught the same lesson. Only the "firstfruits" were to be given (Leviticus 2:12-16; Leviticus 23:10-11), and only the best of the flocks and herds were acceptable (Deuteronomy 12:6; Deuteronomy 14:23; Deuteronomy 15:19-23).
Some brethren believe that the Lord’s church should operate on a second-rate basis. If they were in charge of finances, they would literally pinch every penny until it cried! When God’s work is curtailed because someone is trying to “save a buck,” it presents the idea that folks in responsible positions are not the dedicated people they should be.
Beloved, when we don’t provide the best that we have as an offering before God, we sin! (Leviticus 22:18-25; Malachi 1:8-14). Jesus didn’t mind paying the supreme price for the church (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 9:11-14), and neither should we.
None of us are worthy of heaven (Isaiah 64:6-7), but God still loves us anyway (John 3:16; Romans 5:8-11). Therefore, let us produce and give our best for the cause of Christ!
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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