ONLY YOUR BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR GOD

Why do people give gifts, and who decides the quality of the gift? What good is a gift if it’s not the giver’s best? What might be the giver’s motives and expectations for giving? In general, people give gifts as a way of expressing love, appreciation, friendship, and more. People give what they think is nice, usable, and acceptable, and they, most likely, expect gratitude for their thoughtfulness.

God is Love, and His demonstration of love is giving. “For this is how God loved the world; He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NLT). Everything He gives is fueled by love, even when He reprimands us. If we, His children, have His nature (which we should), then we should also give out of love and responsibility. Giving is easier if we know ahead of time what the recipient needs or likes.

God gave us His very best: His Son, Jesus Christ! He knew without His Son’s shed blood, nobody would have eternal life. Do we ever put some thought into what we give Him, or give in His name? Do we know what He likes? God is the God of beauty and elegance. Giving to Him means giving to the work of the Church, other ministries, and, quite often, meeting the needs of others in His name (see Matthew 25:40). Only the best is good enough for God!

Child of God, what has been the quality of your giving? King David was prevented from building a temple for the Lord because he had fought too many wars. Instead, God appointed Solomon, son of David, to build the temple. David could have just given up and gone on with other things, but instead he started making preparations for the project. He wasn’t trying to make a name for himself as the one who built the first temple in Israel. He wanted the temple for God to be jaw-droopingly gorgeous, regardless of who built it; it had to be the best he could dream of. In his own words, “The temple to be built for the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world” (1 Chronicles 22:5 NLT). Only the best is good enough for God!

Do you give God your leftovers -- what you have no need for? David once said, “I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24 NLT). God sees our hearts and our motives for giving. He blesses us as we give willingly, joyfully, and generously. It is good to remember that everything we have belongs to Him, and He’s able to take it all away at any time. Like King David, let’s give God only our best, because only that is good enough for Him. Anything less than the best is insulting and disrespectful. Our attitude towards giving to God should be indicative of our love and reverence for Him.