Leviticus 20-22 Giving Our Best

God set high standards for the Jewish priests who could present offerings before Him.  Physical perfection was required, and staying away from uncleanness to insure that they could present offerings meant they couldn’t defile themselves by touching dead bodies.  I can certainly understand God requiring ritual cleanliness – not bringing anything of sin into His presence.  I’ve had trouble determining how this reconciles with ministering to those who’ve just lost loved ones and are in need of comfort.  Priests were forbidden from even entering a house where people had died, and touching a person who had touched a dead person made priests unclean as well.  Ritual cleansing could apparently take care of things, but the priest would be disqualified from service until he’d fulfilled those requirements.

Offerings of livestock required sacrificing the best animals, too.  God would be offended by offerings of damaged or sick animals.

All of this didn’t mean that God hated those who were physically imperfect.  What He wanted them – and us – to see was that He expects us to offer Him 100%.  We honor Him by giving our best – not be withholding it for ourselves.  We won’t impoverish ourselves by giving in that way.  It’s impossible to outgive God.  By choosing to give our best, whether in offerings, time, talent, or anything else, we are respecting him as Holy.  That’s what He wants from us.

Father, help me never to give out of my leftovers.  I want to love You enough to give out of my firstfruits, trusting that You will take care of me if I trust fully in You.  May my offerings be acceptable to You, O God, in the New Year, whether of money, time, talents, or love.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford