READ:
LEVETICUS 11:41-47
God enjoys
the company of His children. Whenever you go into His presence, apart from
getting blessed, God is also happy to have you in His presence. This apart, God
says whenever we come into His presence, we should not come empty (Deuteronomy
16:16-17). He expects us to come with singing, praise, thanksgiving and other
monetary or material offerings. Yet God qualifies the offerings He accepts.
For instance in 1 Samuel 15:22-23, God prefers total obedience to Him rather than any financial or material offering. If God says, ‘I want you to go to a particular distant land as a missionary’ but you say, ‘No Lord, I have the money: let me give whatever millions of naira that will be required to sponsor someone else’; do you think God will be delighted at that offering? He owns you. He gave you all that you have. When He wants your person, nothing else would do. To obey is better than sacrifice.
Moreover, there is another type of offering God is not prepared to receive at all. In fact, it is an abomination to Him. In Micah 6:9-16, God condemns the treasures that have been acquired by deceit, illegitimate and wicked means. An armed robber who brings tithe or offering to God’s house is committing an abomination. It will evoke judgement instead of acceptance. The pastor may accept it not knowing the source, but God will use such blood money as an object of judgement against the giver.
Similarly, in Deuteronomy 23:17-18, God forbids a male (homosexual) or female prostitute from paying tithe or offerings in His house. It is an abomination. Romans 1:26-28 also classifies homosexuality and lesbianism as abominable lifestyles to God. In the same way the prayers of the sinner is an abomination to God expect he is asking for forgiveness. Is your life pleasing to God? Are you abominable before God? Repent today and make your ways right. From our reading, certain foods are abomination to God. For instance, feeding on false doctrine and teaching others the same amount to abomination. ‘Be you clean that bear the vessels of the Lord!’
For instance in 1 Samuel 15:22-23, God prefers total obedience to Him rather than any financial or material offering. If God says, ‘I want you to go to a particular distant land as a missionary’ but you say, ‘No Lord, I have the money: let me give whatever millions of naira that will be required to sponsor someone else’; do you think God will be delighted at that offering? He owns you. He gave you all that you have. When He wants your person, nothing else would do. To obey is better than sacrifice.
Moreover, there is another type of offering God is not prepared to receive at all. In fact, it is an abomination to Him. In Micah 6:9-16, God condemns the treasures that have been acquired by deceit, illegitimate and wicked means. An armed robber who brings tithe or offering to God’s house is committing an abomination. It will evoke judgement instead of acceptance. The pastor may accept it not knowing the source, but God will use such blood money as an object of judgement against the giver.
Similarly, in Deuteronomy 23:17-18, God forbids a male (homosexual) or female prostitute from paying tithe or offerings in His house. It is an abomination. Romans 1:26-28 also classifies homosexuality and lesbianism as abominable lifestyles to God. In the same way the prayers of the sinner is an abomination to God expect he is asking for forgiveness. Is your life pleasing to God? Are you abominable before God? Repent today and make your ways right. From our reading, certain foods are abomination to God. For instance, feeding on false doctrine and teaching others the same amount to abomination. ‘Be you clean that bear the vessels of the Lord!’
MEMORIZE:
PROVERBS 28:9 –He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer
shall be abomination.
