Scripture
The LORD of Heaven's Armies says to the priests: "A son honors his fathers, and a servant respects his master. I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! "But you ask, 'How have we ever shown contempt for your name?' "You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar......"You defile them by saying the altar of the LORD deserves no respect. And isn't it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? -Malachi 1:6-8
How disheartening is it to live each week serving God, and His people and He not be pleased with our works? It may be difficult to conceive that a man or woman of God could serve Him mechanically (routinely) for years and not be fully devoted to Him. Yet, for some ministers of the Gospel, this is true. The scripture above addresses the priests who were not offering God their best sacrifices. They offered lame and diseased animals on God's altar, and it is written in Leviticus 20:20-23 and Deuteronomy 15:21 that such offerings are prohibited. Ministers may say, "I work in the vineyard and have never taken my hands off the plow.", but when we fail to fully surrender every part of our lives to Him or serve our own interests, the scripture above is speaking to us.
Beloved, the eyes of the Lord are upon the works of our hands. Through Malachi, God wanted Israel's priests to think about their service to Him. He wants today's leaders and ministers to think as carefully about their service to Him also. If we're to lead the people into worship and have not consecrated ourselves, then we've offered defiled food on His altar. If ministers or pastors hadn't taken the time to labor in prayer and meditation to seek God for a message for the people and they 'wing' it in the pulpit, they offer defiled food on His altar. If the Sunday School teacher doesn't prepare for the lesson they are to teach, then they have offered defiled food on His altar.
It is possible to serve with indifference. A person can become so accustomed to 'ministry as usual' that they lose sight of the fact that they are honoring Him as a great King. If we're not careful, we'll lose the reverence for Him and offer Him shallow, insincere worship. If we give our best sacrifices to other area of life, such as our jobs, personal goals, family, and other interests, then we're like the priests that Malachi is speaking to. These scriptures can apply to every child of God. His eyes are upon us all. Don't give God less than your best.
Prayer
Father, we desire to serve you with our whole heart and strength. We want to give you our best in everything that we do for you. We bring devoted hearts to you today. In Jesus' name. Amen
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