In what ways can we ensure our offerings align with God's will? Mark 7:11 in Context “ ‘But you say, “If a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban (that is, devoted to God),’ ” ’ ” • Jesus confronts a tradition that allowed someone to label resources “Corban,” blocking their use for parental care. • By cloaking selfishness in religious vocabulary, they broke the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12) while feeling pious. • He sums it up: “Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition” (Mark 7:13). Key Lesson: God Values Obedience Over Ritual • 1 Samuel 15:22—“Obedience is better than sacrifice.” • Proverbs 21:3—“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” • Any offering that ignores clear commands (honor parents, love neighbor) is unacceptable, no matter how religious it looks. Principles for Offerings That Align with God’s Will 1. Honor God-Given Relationships • Meet household responsibilities first (1 Timothy 5:8). • Give in ways that protect, not neglect, those under your care. 2. Check Your Motive • “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). • Give from gratitude and worship, never for applause, leverage, or loopholes. 3. Submit to Scripture, Not Tradition • Regularly weigh giving practices against the plain text of Scripture, not popular customs or human rules. 4. Pursue Reconciliation Before Presentation • Matthew 5:23-24—repair relationships before you lay a gift on the altar. • Bitterness or broken fellowship can poison an otherwise generous act. 5. Keep Your Word • Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 warns against rash vows; deliver what you pledge. • Integrity turns promises into fragrant offerings (Psalm 15:4). 6. Guard Against Hypocrisy • Jesus calls out those who “honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me” (Mark 7:6). • Consistency between private life and public giving matters to God. Practical Steps for Today • Budget prayerfully—set aside “firstfruits” (Proverbs 3:9) after essentials for loved ones. • Review motives—ask, “Would I still give this if no one knew?” • Seek counsel—trusted believers can spot blind spots, just as Jesus exposed the Pharisees’. • Evaluate impact—does this gift advance God’s kingdom and reflect His character of justice, mercy, humility (Micah 6:8)? • Revisit commitments—update giving when responsibilities change; honoring parents in aging years, for example, may require reallocating funds. The Fruit of Pleasing Offerings • Worship that delights God and draws us nearer (Hebrews 13:16). • Needs met within family and church, showcasing Christ’s love (Acts 2:45). • Eternal rewards laid up “where moth and rust do not destroy” (Matthew 6:19-20). When offerings flow from obedient hearts, they cease to be mere transactions and become living testimonies of a God-honoring life. |
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