Right Kind of Approval

Right Kind of Approval

Hebrews 11: ⁴ It was faith that made Abel offer to God a better sacrifice than Cain's. Through his faith he won God's approval as a righteous man, because God himself approved of his gifts. By means of his faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

 

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Wanting to be part of the “in-crowd,” I sought to change how I looked. I finally had a job that afforded me to buy my own clothes. I put on my new shirt, pants, shoes and jacket. Excited, I went to show off my new apparel. “You are too skinny” someone said to me.

 

• I was crushed because the clothes didn’t work.
• I wanted approval from the “in-crowd” but it still seemed far away.
• I did not like my appearance so I tried to change it to gain approval.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, begins his list of faith examples with Abel, who was a child of Adam and eve after they were thrown out of the garden of Eden. Cain was the firstborn and brother of Abel. Both decided to give something to the LORD. Cain’s sacrifice was rejected by GOD and Abel’s was approved.

 

My Observations:

• Cain’s offering may have been motivated by trying to rebuild the Garden of Eden.
• Abel’s offering may have been motivated by recognizing GOD’s love and mimicking HIM through an animal sacrifice, similar to when GOD made clothes for Adam and Eve.
• GOD loves when I sacrifice for HIS approval versus my own or when I try to win the approval of humans.

 

Fitting in can feel good but can sometimes carry consequences. I mean, when I gain the approval of humans, I may not know their motive. I may be trying to do something that goes away from GOD and towards someone who is trying to “be” GOD. I have a choice.

 

I can look at the what the “crowd” stands for and see if they are really seeking GOD or their own pleasures. HE gives me HIS HOLY SPIRIT to discern who to follow. I then have to get out of my own way and not follow myself. I am glad GOD rewards me when I seek HIM for approval.

 

Challenge

• What example of righteousness did the writer provide?
• Have you ever thought you were doing something great for the LORD, but were really doing it for human approval?
• Will you seek GOD’s approval and submit to HIS ways so HE can show you a “better sacrifice” today?

Dirty Penny Thinking

Malachi 1:

“It is you priests who show contempt for my name.

“But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’

⁷ “By offering defiled food on my altar.

“But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’

“By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible. ⁸ When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty.

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When the snow melted I spotted change on the grimy parking lot. In spite of the salt, dirt and gook, I picked up the soiled coins and placed them in my pocket. When I finished my shopping the cashier quoted my balance due, “That will be $8.22” is an example. I reached into my pocket and shoved the shiny dimes and pennies aside only to pick the grimy, nasty change. I handed the wet change over with confidence!

• Sometimes I don’t give my best.
• Sometimes I hand the other person the worst and keep the best for me.
• Sometimes I make a judgment call on who “deserves” the best.

“Dirty Penny Thinking” crept into other parts of my life. Soon I was not sharing “my” stuff. I was holding back the best for me and giving others the leftovers. I went to church and said “Not this week, I don’t have enough to give” as I held back a nice portion for myself.

• GOD says to me “I want your best.”
• GOD says to me “I want you to give me your first, not your last.”
• GOD says to me “I want your attitude towards me to be top of mind, not second or third.”

Giving GOD my best means I keep the Dirty Penny and give others the best, even when they don’t “deserve” it. “Clean Penny” thinking shows up when someone is not giving me their best. I need to do my best in spite of what is going on around me. That is when GOD is pleased.

• Are you treating someone poorly because they have treated you poorly?
• Do you give someone your worst, trying to keep the best for yourself?
• Can you stop thinking “that” person “deserves” mediocre to poor treatment?
• Will you give someone your best today in service to GOD?

Plan for generosity

Deuteronomy 14: ²⁸ At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, ²⁹ so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

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Anticipation and exhilaration flowed through my veins as I waited on a statement from my investments. I was saving up for a cruise and I wanted to make sure I had enough money to go. I planned this trip for months. I booked the plane and excursions. Yes this was a well-deserved trip!

• When I want something I plan for it.
• When I desire something I save up for it.
• When I yearn for something I get excited over it and anticipate its arrival.

Giving is quite the opposite of my vacation planning.  Sometimes I grumble over giving and other times I look up and whatever money is left I give. I say to myself, I don’t have enough to give right now, yet I run out and buy new stuff because I “need” more stuff.

• GOD wants me to plan for giving.
• GOD says “prepare your tithes.”
• GOD says “pay attention to those in need.”

When I know I am going to give then I automatically deduct the amount I have in my hand by what I have already planned. I no longer say to myself I have $1000 rather the LORD has $100 and I have $900. But wait, what if my income doesn’t cover my bills. Well, that’s a longer discussion but I know GOD loves when I am cheerful in my giving.

Giving frees me from wanting more and more for myself because the focus is on others. Through GOD’s generosity, I can be generous.

• Are you planning to give?
• Are you planning to give in big way or have you squeezed GOD’s generosity into your tiny world?
• Has GOD given you a vision for generosity?

A “leftover” attitude

Numbers 18: ³² Bring the best part of what you receive. Then you will not be guilty of holding anything back. You will not make the holy offerings of the people of Israel “unclean.” You will not die.’”

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Wednesday had finally arrived! I got paid twice a month and it seemed like I would run out of money quicker than I wanted to. I could finally pick up the new suit I had put in layaway and I could buy some groceries. I could also pay rent but the car payment would have to wait until the following check.

On Sunday I had a couple of dollars to put in church. “There… I gave” I thought to myself. This was a sacrifice because I could have kept it to myself!

• When I give GOD the leftovers I sometimes run out.
• When I give GOD the leftovers I put HIM last.
• When I give GOD the leftovers I treat HIM with an “HE won’t mind” or “HE should be thankful” attitude.

My giving in church crept into other areas of my life. When it was time to clear the closet I would look at the worn items. When it was time to move I would give away the things I didn’t want or use. I would keep the best and give away the worst. BUT GOD wants something different.

• GOD wants me to give my best to HIM and others.
• GOD wants me to plan my giving just like planning my new clothes, vacations and gadgets.
• GOD wants me to not cringe when I get a large payment and have to give HIM my best.

I need to give without expectation that GOD will double or triple my gift here on Earth. GOD can do with my money and possessions as HE sees fit. HE wants me to not let things have a hold on me so giving helps this process. When I give my best GOD does the rest!

• Are you clinging onto your little change?
• Are you afraid to give your best?
• Can you recognize a part of you that is not giving GOD your best?
• Won’t you start out small and grow into excited giving?