A MATTER OF HONOUR
Malachi 1: 6-14
We are still considering the issue of our offerings. In today’s passage, several issues are raised. Firstly, it is a matter of relationship between father and child. God says.
“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith the LORD of hosts….”Malachi 1:6.
In family relationships, giving to one another is an obligation. At a time, the parent cares for the child. Later in life, the child cares for the parent. In this while, God calls himself our father. He deserves to be honoured by our giving unto him. The offering you give cements the relationship or widens the gap between you and your father.
The second issue here is that offering is a matter of honour. The quality and quantity of your offering is an indication of how much you honour the Lord. Consider this. Imagine the governor of your state visiting your house. If you want to give him a gift, you would ask yourself certain questions. What befitting gift should I give? How would I package it? The personality of the governor would have a bearing on the quality of your offering. If it is cash, you would envelope it and offer it reverently to your governor. It would not be squeezed dirty notes. You would not throw it at him either. Your offering either honors or dishonours the recipient. It is your estimation of who you offer to. When you offer polluted or disabled offering, it is an indication of despising the one you offer to.
And if ye offer the blind your sacrifice, it is not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor, Will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? Saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 1 : 8.
If you must offer to the Lord, it must be qualitative. In the days of animal sacrifice, it should be healthy animals without deformity. If material, it should carry the same qualifications. If crops of silver or gold, It should also be good. Today, we give mostly cash or materials. Ensure that it is good. Don’t bring disused or unwanted materials as gifts to the House of God or to God’s’ servants, it is a dishonor.
Finally, your offering makes God to either accept or reject your person. Since it is all about your relationship with him, if he accepts your offering ,he accept s your person and vice versa. Ensure that God is pleased with your offering so he can accept your person and have regard to you.
MEDITATION: If the LORD is my father, do I honour him.?
