The Gift of Your Heart

"What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?  No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6: 6-8

The best gift to give, is your heart. 

God isn’t materialistic. He isn’t after things that show proof of repentance but He’s after our hearts. Out of all of the things God could require of us, like the sacrifice of an animal, numerous quantities of a treasured oil, or some sort of rare offering, instead He requires a heart change of us.

He’s not about the quantity of things that we can give him but he wants our heart quality to improve. To show fairness and not favoritism. To be gentle in our response to those who disrespect or belittle us. And to truly walk with Him; having the awareness that we will never fully comprehend all of who He is but remain faithful to our relationship to Him.

Sometimes it can feel like a true heart change for God is a lot to ask and the materialistic things seem easier but this is a perfect example of the scripture "Obedience is better than sacrifice." -1 Samuel 15:22. Sacrifice is typically a one-time thing and when the sacrifice has been made, you can move forward. However obedience is continual, you have to make a conscious and continual effort to what is required; to do right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

In this season of giving to others, evaluate how you give of your heart to God. Remain fair and Godly in all circumstances, to show kindness to those who don’t have your well being or best interest in mind and to remain humble in your relationship with God; knowing that all you have and receive is from God no matter how far He takes you.