“I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. The poor will see and be glad– you who seek God, may your hearts live!” (Psa. 69:30-32, David)

Simply put, a sacrifice of praise is more valuable than a sacrifice of our resources. I believe this is because a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving is reflective of a heart of love and obedience, whereas a sacrifice of our resources and assets is merely a sacrifice of something that already belongs to God, regardless of whether we choose to offer it back to Him or not. This confirms Samuel’s question and answer in 1 Samuel 15:22 when he says, “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

God wants our hearts, our devotion, our commitment, and our obedience. To sew finances, resources, and time into the Kingdom is good, but it means nothing in God’s eyes if our hearts aren’t in the right place. (2 Cor. 9:7) Out of a heart of obedience comes praise and thanksgiving, and David is saying THAT is what truly pleases the Lord!

Is your heart right with the Lord? Are you walking daily with Him? Is your relationship with Him front and center in your life, or are the blessings He gives you getting in the way?

While it’s great to give and to serve, it’s even better to walk in fellowship with God.

[From October 21, 2018]