What does "all the fat belongs to the LORD" signify in our lives? The Original Command: Leviticus 3:16 “Then the priest shall burn the fat on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the LORD. All fat belongs to the LORD.” Fat as the Richest Portion • In the ancient Near East, fat represented richness, abundance, and the choicest part of the animal. • By reserving that choicest portion for Himself, God taught Israel that He is worthy of the very best. • The command underscored His holiness—certain things are set apart exclusively for Him (cf. Leviticus 6:25, 30). Principles that Cross the Testament Bridge • God owns everything we possess (Psalm 24:1); designating the “fat” reminded Israel of His ultimate ownership. • He still calls for the first and finest—“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your harvest” (Proverbs 3:9). • The New Covenant deepens the picture: our bodies and lives are now His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Practical Expressions Today • Time: Give God prime time, not leftovers—start the day with Him, set aside weekly worship (Hebrews 10:25). • Talents: Use your best skills for kingdom purposes, not merely personal gain (Romans 12:6-8). • Treasure: Budget so that giving to God comes off the top, not the bottom (2 Corinthians 9:7). • Attention: Reserve mental “fat”—focus, creativity, planning—so ministry and family get excellence, not fatigue (Colossians 3:23-24). Guarding What Belongs to God • Consuming the fat was forbidden (Leviticus 7:23-25). Likewise, seizing what is God’s—time, purity, resources—robs Him (Malachi 3:8). • Spiritual vitality drains when we indulge self at the expense of devotion; Eli’s sons fell under judgment for treating the fat as their own (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 29). A Daily Act of Worship • Present your whole self “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). • Let every decision ask, “Does this portion belong to me, or does it belong to the LORD?” • When the finest is consistently laid on His altar, life becomes an ongoing aroma “pleasing to the LORD,” just as the fat once burned in the Tabernacle. |
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