Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample
The Maximum, not the Minimum
Read Leviticus 22:1-33
The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings the Israelites consecrate to me, so they will not profane my holy name. I am the LORD". Leviticus 22:1-2
In the popular book The Heavenly Man, Chinese Christian Brother Yun, reflects on his experience in the west. “Multitudes… are satisfied with giving their minimum to God, not their maximum. I’ve watched men and women during offering time in church. They open their fat wallets and search for the smallest amount they can give… What a disgrace! Repent!” Sadly, this attitude is not just confined to the West.
The Israelites had the same problem. Some of them tried to ‘palm off’ an inferior animal to the Lord. Others tried to be clever by offering a newborn animal before any defect or blemish became apparent and before they needed to give it any care. God warned them that such offerings were not acceptable.
We must give the best of our time, talent and treasure to God. Does that sound easy? How about releasing our most capable children to the ministry? God gave us His best, His Son, the perfect priest and the perfect sacrifice. Parents, involve your children in your giving plans (to God). Let them learn through participation.
God also warned the Israelites against treating the sacrifices with contempt. Conditions were set on those offering them (chapter 21) and eating them (this chapter). These regulations no longer apply, but we often act contrary to the spirit behind them. We treat gifts to God with contempt when we ‘make light’ the ‘sacrifices’ of fellow Christians – by focusing too much on their weaknesses, stifling their ministry development, or not holding ourselves to the strictest accountability over financial resources committed to our care. We need to repent.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me Your all, Your best, Your beloved Son. Help me not to hold back in my response to You.
Read Leviticus 22:1-33
The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings the Israelites consecrate to me, so they will not profane my holy name. I am the LORD". Leviticus 22:1-2
In the popular book The Heavenly Man, Chinese Christian Brother Yun, reflects on his experience in the west. “Multitudes… are satisfied with giving their minimum to God, not their maximum. I’ve watched men and women during offering time in church. They open their fat wallets and search for the smallest amount they can give… What a disgrace! Repent!” Sadly, this attitude is not just confined to the West.
The Israelites had the same problem. Some of them tried to ‘palm off’ an inferior animal to the Lord. Others tried to be clever by offering a newborn animal before any defect or blemish became apparent and before they needed to give it any care. God warned them that such offerings were not acceptable.
We must give the best of our time, talent and treasure to God. Does that sound easy? How about releasing our most capable children to the ministry? God gave us His best, His Son, the perfect priest and the perfect sacrifice. Parents, involve your children in your giving plans (to God). Let them learn through participation.
God also warned the Israelites against treating the sacrifices with contempt. Conditions were set on those offering them (chapter 21) and eating them (this chapter). These regulations no longer apply, but we often act contrary to the spirit behind them. We treat gifts to God with contempt when we ‘make light’ the ‘sacrifices’ of fellow Christians – by focusing too much on their weaknesses, stifling their ministry development, or not holding ourselves to the strictest accountability over financial resources committed to our care. We need to repent.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me Your all, Your best, Your beloved Son. Help me not to hold back in my response to You.
Scripture
About this Plan
Scripture Union Peninsular Malaysia's Bible reflections are devotional readings from the thoughts and insights of Asian writers. Consisting of 8 volumes, they cover the whole Bible in four years. Each volume contains books from the Old and New Testaments, and has a mix of historical, poetic and prophetic books, the gospels and epistles. Using this you can cultivate the discipline of a regular, systematic engagement with Scripture and gain an understanding of its magnificent story.
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We would like to thank Scripture Union for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://www.su.org.my