Malachi 1
What does 99.9% Quality mean?
One hour of unsafe drinking water per month.
Two unsafe landings at O'Hare each day
15,000 lost pieces of mail per hour
20,000 incorrect drug prescriptions each year
500 incorrect surgical operations performed each week
19,000 newborn babies dropped at birth by doctors each year
22,000 checks deducted from wrong accounts each hour
Your heart fails to beat 32,000 times each year
Years ago, the former secretary of HEW John Gardner said, "I am concerned with the fate of excellence in our society. If a society holds conflicting views about excellence or cannot rouse itself to the pursuit of excellence, the consequences will be felt in everything that society undertakes."
There is no area where the pursuit of excellence if more important than the spiritual. Malachi takes this issue head on with his accusation that the people of God where giving him second best. Try giving that blind sheep to the IRS as payment for your taxes. God says check the attitude. You come to church tired, not prepared for worship, with a consumer mindset, ready to take but not give. God says, "I see that you are just going through the motions."
But God wants the best from us, not because he needs more sheep. Our attitude towards our best is the direct link to our soul satisfaction. If you want a second hand experience with God, give him your leftovers.
As we prepare for a new year, give your best to Jesus; your best worship, your best attitude, your best service, your best love.
Malachi 1:11 tells us why this is a good choice, "My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the Lord almighty.
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