Giving our best

“When anyone brings from the herd or flock a fellowship offering to the Lord to fulfil a special vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without defect or blemish to be acceptable.” Leviticus 22:21
There were many different types of offerings specified in the book of Leviticus. The sin offering and the guilt offering were required of the people, to cover unintentional sins against the Lord’s commands. But the burnt offering and the fellowship offering were both voluntary (Ezek. 46:12).
The burnt offering symbolised dedication to the Lord, and as such, the whole animal was to be burnt up and not eaten. Burnt offerings were presented every morning by the priests (Lev. 6:12, 1 Chr. 16:40), at the dedication of the tabernacle (Num. 7), by Samson’s parents (Judg. 13:16), by the people when the ark of the covenant was returned (1 Sam. 6:14), by David at the threshing floor of Araunah (1 Chr. 21:26), at the dedication of the temple (2 Chr. 7:1).
On the other hand, the fellowship offering was one that the person bringing the offering was allowed to eat from. Eating from the same meal as someone symbolised fellowship with them, becoming one with them. Part of the animal was burned as a sacrifice to God, part was eaten by the priests, and part was eaten by the person bringing the offering.
Both of these offerings were to be of animals that were without defect or blemish. These refer to physical faults: defects from birth, or blemishes being faults as a result of injury. The point is this: these two offerings were voluntary, but even so, God required them to be of the very highest quality. You couldn’t look at a lame sheep in your flock and say, “Well, we’ll just sacrifice that one to God to get rid of it.” The principle applies to us today – we must give God the best of what we have, not the leftovers. What time of the day are you most productive? Whether it is morning or night, give that time to God. If you have decided to give financially to some ministry, give it as the first priority, not whatever’s left over at the end of the month. If you’re bringing food to share for a pot-luck lunch at church, bring the best, not the leftovers. In serving other people in this way, we are serving God. After all, He has given us everything we have – our possessions, our food, our very breath. If we are going to give back to Him, doesn’t He deserve the best?