The Israelites had a very elaborate sacrificial system. The sacrifices to be made were rigidly inspected for quality; meaning they couldn’t be anything other than excellent. Moses says this the other way in our verse for the day. Moses says that if the animals they sacrificed were sick or defective that God would view them as an abomination, detestable. That is strong language. It is not that God won’t like it; he will be upset about it and reject it.

People in our culture really can’t relate to things like this. The whole idea of a sacrificial system is a bit repulsive to us. The idea that we would need to kill an animal to atone for our sins and to please God is far from our Western sensibilities.

Jesus came to make the final atonement for us makes the need for animal sacrifice unnecessary. As always, that fact does not make this verse unimportant to us. There are no verses in the Bible that do not have a place in our lives. Paul told Timothy that ALL scripture is useful. The thing that is sometimes difficult is trying to understand how to relate a verse like todays to our lives.

The key in this verse is the word ‘gifts.’ God still calls us to give Him gifts. Many of the sacrifices that the Israelites made had nothing to do with sin. They had to do with celebrating and recognizing what God had done for them. God asked them to give a portion of what He gave them back to Him by giving it to the Levites. The people were also encouraged to give freewill offerings and offerings related to vows they had made. The Israelites were also exhorted to take care of the widows and orphans with gifts. Jesus said that when we do that, we are actually doing it to Him.

Since we are called to give gifts to God, the above verse does apply to our lives. God doesn’t want us to give our junk as gifts to Him. It is disrespectful of God, and it is detestable to Him. God expects our very best. God also doesn’t want our leftovers; He wants and deserves our first fruits. The Israelites were to bring the first of their crops and the first animals that were born to their flocks as gifts to God.

There is an obvious connection to tithing but that is not what this is talking about. Tithing is what you owe to God; gifts are what you want to give to God. There is a difference, but the above verse applies to both. Too many Christians treat tithing like some sort of curse that is associated with their faith. They tithe when they have extra or if things are going well. God has promised that if you will give Him the ‘first’ tenth that He will provide so that you can live on the remaining 90%. Gifts do not take the place of tithing. Gifts are given because you are thankful for what God has done in your life or they are a way for you to join God in some work He is doing. God wants your best; not your least. Jesus, help us to give You the best of our time, talents, and treasures.

Read: Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9