defiled sacrifices

 Today we read from Malachi 1:1-2:17 in the One Year Bible. You look at the picture above and it's not hard to see the similarity between the child sacrifice that went on in those days, and the way we sacrifice our children for our convenience today.

But before we get too smug in looking down our noses at those who DO kill their own children today, we should also take a look at ourselves. See, in today's readings we see that God is not happy with the people He's warning because they are bringing him "defiled sacrifices." And what He means is that they're bringing him defective, small, unwanted animals for their sin sacrifice rather than the best of their herds. 

Some of us aren't bringing Him any sacrifices at all today. When was the last time you donated to the poor of your community? (Do you love Me? Feed My sheep.) When was the last time you gave a donation to your local church? If you did, was it enough to make it a "sacrifice"? Did you have to give something up in order to donate that much?

CS Lewis said a good gauge of whether we're giving enough is that it should "pinch". Some of us have to give a good chunk of change before we start to feel that pinch. And you'd better believe I have four fingers pointing back at me as I'm pointing one at you. (I'm counting my thumb as a finger for the sake of this exercise) In other words, I'm as guilty (or guiltier) of being stingy in my giving as you are. 

So let's do better in the new year. Give until it pinches. Don't offer up "defiled sacrifices."

God, thanks for always being so generous to us. Please help us learn to return the favor.