How can we avoid despising "the offering of the LORD" today? Setting the Scene 1 Samuel 2:17 records, “Thus the sin of the young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.” The priests’ sons, Hophni and Phinehas, seized the best meat, exploited worshipers, and turned sacred service into self-service. Their attitude—“despising the offering of the LORD”—still warns believers today. Why Contempt Emerges • Familiarity without reverence • Self-indulgence masking as ministry (Philippians 3:19) • Forgetting that every offering points to God’s holiness and grace (Malachi 1:7-8) • Trading eternal reward for immediate gratification (Hebrews 12:16) Practical Ways to Honor the Lord’s Offering Today • Financial giving – Firstfruits, not leftovers (Proverbs 3:9) – Cheerfully, not grudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) • Service and spiritual gifts – Serve “as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23) – Refuse platforms that feed ego more than edify others (1 Peter 4:10-11) • Praise and thanksgiving – “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15-16) • Life consecration – “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1) Guarding the Heart • Daily gratitude checks—remembering every good gift comes from the Father (James 1:17) • Regular self-examination before the Table of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:28) • Accountability with mature believers who can speak truth when motives drift • Quick repentance when selfishness surfaces (1 John 1:9) Motivations Anchored in the Gospel • Christ offered Himself “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10); our offerings respond to His ultimate sacrifice. • Love, not obligation, fuels authentic worship (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). • Honoring the offering of the Lord showcases His worth to a watching world (Matthew 5:16). Living as Faithful Stewards Despising the Lord’s offering begins in a careless heart. Honoring it flows from a heart captivated by Christ. By treasuring His sacrifice, giving our best, and guarding our motives, we keep contempt far away and delight the One who first delighted in giving everything for us. |
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