https://odb.org/2024/05/06/loving-obedience
If you have been a believer for a while, you would have likely come across this principle being taught – obedience is better than sacrifice. A good example to illustrate this spiritual principle is the case of Saul when he offered the sacrifice to God without waiting for the prophet Samuel (who was the appointed one to do so). His troops were clamouring to leave for battle, and although he was not the rightful person to do so, he nevertheless did for the sake of convenience. He not only received a rebuke from Samuel but ended up losing his throne as King of Israel when God chose, and Samuel anointed David to be the next king. See 1 Samuel 15:22.
As an example and merely for illustration purposes, let’s say we have RM10,000 in our bank account, and we decided to give RM2,500 to a worthy cause in church like a charity for orphaned children. This is a significant sacrifice on our part. At the same time, God also prompts us to give RM1,500 to a brother in need. Of course, we could give to both, but if we are limited by our rather scarce resources (we only have RM10,000 and not RM100,000) and if we could only afford to give to one, which would we choose?
The first is the sacrifice, but the second is the obedience. Some of us may argue that the larger amount is better in the eyes of God because it involves a bigger sacrifice, but based on 1 Samuel 15:22, it may not be so. Usually, obedience is the better way to go as a gift, which is in response to the Holy Spirit and is discernful, achieves a better result in the Kingdom of God. At that point in time, the brother needs the money more than the charity, although on the face of it, the charity may be more deserving. Many a time, timely giving achieves more, particularly, when we ourselves as the giver do not have much.
Have a good week ahead, everyone! May our Lord Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit, the other advocate (parakletos) given by the Father, grant us the spiritual discernment to know when and how to do the right thing to those around us that we want to love and help! Amen!
Ronnie's Thoughts 