Leftovers

Do you get tired of the leftovers from big holiday meals? The choice pieces of turkey vanished quickly, those special side-dishes didn't last long, and the delectable desserts are long gone by the time you've had enough. What's left just doesn't look appealing. But how often do we give God our leftovers? Think about it.

How many Christians pay their bills before they tithe? And if they're running short, the church will just have to wait until they get their budget caught up. They might attend church but just go through the motions, counting the minutes until they can get back to what they plan to do. With working, commitments, and family, there's just not enough time in the day for Bible study and prayer. They can do that when things slow down some, maybe when they retire. Yet they're likely to spend more time in front of the television than they do giving God their undivided attention. God doesn't want our leftovers. He wants us to put Him first. 

I like what Mac Brunson says about this in his book, The God You've Been Searching For. "When we commit our hearts and lives to the Lord, we commit ourselves to giving Him our very best. Not out of a desire to pay Him back for what He's done for us - we could never repay Him in a million years - but out of gratitude for Him giving us His very best and out of deep love for Him" (p. 133).  How about you? Are you giving God your best or your leftovers?

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