GIVING GOD OUR VERY BEST

1. Background to Malachi.

2. Malachi chapter one details God’s displeasure with his people because of their ingratitude. This ingratitude was manifested in their failure to give God their very best.

I. God’s relationship (verse 6).

A. As a father over his son and master over his servant. Re: Exodus 20:12; 21:15-17; Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

B. Consider God’s care, provisions, and love for us as his children. Re: I John 3:1, Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 6:36; James 1:16-17.

C. Consider our responsibility to honor God. (Illustration: two girls preparing for a date, one was afraid of what her father would do to her if she misbehaved, the other was afraid of what her misbehavior would do to her father.)

II. People’s response (verses 7 – 13).

A. People had presented substandard offerings to God. Ex: the blind (verse 8), the lame and sick (verse 8). They offered sacrifices to God that they would not think of offering to their governor (verse 8). People considered their worship to be a burden (verse 13 – Contrast this attitude with that of Psalm 122:1).

B. In light of all God has done for us, consider what our response to God ought to be. We are to offer spiritual sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1-2; I Peter 2:5-9).

C. When our relationship with God and service to God does not meet the standards we have set in other areas of our lives, we are showing contempt for God rather than honor.

III. God’s rejection (verse 14).

A. Cursed (evil pronouncement) be the deceiver who gives God second best and keeps the best for self. Re: Ecclesiastes 5:4-5.

B. Malachi spoke of a time when God’s name would be great among the Gentiles (most likely looking forward to a time in the future when Gentiles would accept Christ).

C. We too will be rejected by God if we fail to give him our very best.

1. Our love and gratitude for God (or lack thereof) can be seen in whether or not we give God our very best.

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