Leaving Gifts at The Altar

Not being ancient Jews worshipping at the Temple, we're not too big on taking sacrifices or offerings to the altar as a gift to God. However, we do set aside quiet or devotional time to honor God and we bring contributions to put in the plate or make "love offerings."  We do offer time, energy and money to God in various ways and on a number of occasions. But, is God receiving them?

I ask this because the Bible gives clear instructions about the need, at times, to set our gift to God aside and attend to something else and then return to make our offering: "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift" (Matt 5:23-24).

God, like all loving fathers, is not only concerned with our relationship with Him, but equally desires that we love and honor one another. In fact, Jesus said "this is how they will know you are my disciples, by your love for one another" (John 13:35). And the apostle John warns, "...whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen" (1 John 4:20).

So, worship and contributions and quiet times of reflection and prayer are good, but are not God's primary concern for us - reconciliation, restoration, redemption - these are His primary desires for our lives.  This was His reason for sending His Son to the earth, to reconcile, restore and redeem - not just the individual, but the family. 

There is an old saying, "Love me, love my children."  God feels the same way, as do you if you are a loving parent. Jus' Sayn.