What are the things we do to try and please God? To live a life of obedience? Are we keeping the 10 Commandments God gave? Are we walking giving back to the LORD the first 10% of our earnings? Are we daily spending time talking with God (praying), and reading/studying God’s word to increase our knowledge and intimacy with Him?
If we are, great! Those things are important parts of living in obedience to God and they set us up into a place where God can bless us with abundance. And yet, doing those things are for our benefit – not His. They do not increase God’s affection for us. They do not prevent us from experiencing trials in life. They do not provide God with things He needed.
God needs nothing. Everything in all of creation falls under Him. At His word, mountains are formed, nations are crumbled, the sun rises, and the oceans roar! God doesn’t need me. He doesn’t need my small tokens of faithfulness or appreciation.
God desires nothing less than my heart. My soul. My mind. We are given God’s rules and commandments to demonstrate where our heart lies. God wants us to give back to Him, but He’s not in need of my resources.
“Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (Psalm 50:14-15)
God desires thankful and obedient hearts. Period. When I realize all that God has given me, all that He does for me, my heart is full of gratitude. God deserves to hear about it! He deserves the praise! If I understand what God has done for me, when I realize that He has saved me from my sin, and showered blessing upon blessing upon me, I desire to live a life of obedience to Him. He knows what is best for me. He desires that best for me. I want His best for me.
God doesn’t need or desire anything else. I will give my tithe to demonstrate my obedience and trust in the LORD. I will pray to Him and read about Him to allow God to speak into my life and grow my affection and passion for Him. I will obey His commandments to the best of my ability, and if I blow it, I will humble myself and confess what I have done knowing with certainty that God will forgive me and lead me toward holiness. I will keep investing in others and using my time, talents – resources – to share His love with others.
And in the midst of all of these actions and deeds, I will remember God’s promise: “But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50:23)
Blessings!