God created so many offerings for Israel. He gave them options. You could sacrifice an unblemished young bull. Lay your sins on it, kill it, pour out the blood, burn the meat and fat as an offering. It was an elaborate ceremony. But people were willing to do it to receive forgiveness.
But what if you were poor? What if you were a beekeeper or something and had no cows, and could not afford one? Then God would accept a lamb. Too poor for a lamb? For you, God created the option of sacrificing two doves. But what if you can’t even afford doves? There was even a grain offering—no meat, no blood, none of the symbolism, but God was looking at the worshiper’s HEART.
“FOR THE LORD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER.” 2 Corinthians 9:7.
God is not concerned with the size of your gift, but with your heart. Come to Him with a pure heart, not with lots of money. And what is a pure heart?
Honesty. Openness. Facing everything. Hiding nothing. Telling Him your emotions, whether good or bad. Telling Him your thoughts, feelings, worries, fears, joys, everything. Honestly, I think God wants your whole heart—everything inside you—more than anything else. Give it all to Him.
More than your money, your possessions, or anything else, God wants you. Your heart, your dreams, your passions, your feelings, your hopes, your regrets, your hurts, your bad haircuts … everything.
My wife sang a solo so often:
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus,
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys.
Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus,
And He will turn your heartache into joy.
Give it ALL to Jesus.
ΑΩ
P.S. “Give Them All to Jesus,” by Bob Benson and Phil Johnson.
Household Words: 