Why Not The Best?

A. Why do we not always give our best?
1. To be the best requires tremendous desire. Burning desire. Want it more than all else.
a. Being the very best you can be is a sign of great maturity.
You never cheapen your goal by settling for less than the best. Second best is out of the question.
(B) Important for parents to always strive for the best in bringing up their children.
(1) Marriage is the most sacred relationship in life. Be best the best spouse possible.
Same is true your work. Your work is how you establish your standard of living.
That’s how you financially support your family and the Lord's Kingdom.
(2) For that reason it is Imperative You give your best in the work you do.
COLOSSIANS 3:17.
That's talking about the ordinary, everyday things you do in life. Be the best
c. There is another area of life that is important.
Be best you can be in your relationship with God through Christ Jesus.
If you are successful in all others and fail in this one, you’re a total failure.
In the Old Testament a part of man’s relationship with God was animal sacrifice.
The requirements were specific, unalterable requirements.
EXODUS 12:5.
What does it mean by "Without Defect?" Give the best you have.
LEVITICUS 22:19-22.
Do not bring to Jehovah animals that are sick, manged, broken limbs, sores.
The idea is, when you offer anything to God, give your best.

100's of years later Israel stopped giving the best to God and saved best for selves.
Give God what not use, sell at market. The left overs, second best, useless.
MALACHI 1:8.
Malichi says, "God wants to be treated better than you treat your governor.”
EXODUS 36.
God gives Moses the responsibility of building the tabernacle.
The Place where Gods presence will dwell with the nation of Israel.
Required gold, silver, jewels. "Bring these things." "Stop, Enough."
That day the people had that great, noble spirit of giving their best.
2. David wanted to build God's House. God said, "No your hands have shed to much blood, but
your son Solomon will build me a house." David began to gather the necessary supplies.
I CHRON. 22:5.
David understood this principle, when he buys a threshing floor from King Araunah as a place to build an altar of sacrifice to God, 2 SAM. 24:24.
(1) What you build for God and what you offer to God must be exceedingly magnificent.
Strive for excellence. Why? Because it is for God's glory, honor, praise.
At Sinai they gave out of deep love, gratitude. More than enough. Stop!
(2) But it's different in Malachi's day. They had forgotten God's law. Fallen out of love
with God and fallen in love with self and the things self craves.
Spirit of generosity replaced with stingy, white-knuckled, tight fisted offerings.
Did it so long it has become second nature. Do it and not even bat an eye.
(c) Malichi asks, "Will a man rob God?" The answer? "Yes, in tithes & offerings"

(d) They robbed God by give second best, leftovers.
3. There is never a time when we can justify giving God anything less than our very best.
(1) Commitment requires the best, LUKE 9:59-60.
(1) What's Jesus. sayng? "I want to come first, I want the best you have to offer.”
(2) Take this thought home and keep in your heart for rest of your life.
(1) God deserves your best. He gave His best. Perfect sacrifice of His only Son.
(2) When we don’t, we are just like those people in Malichi, we've robbed God.
(2) When you give your best, God always responds with a blessing.
(1) That's the point of MATT.6:24-33. Don't worry about or hoard up worldly treasures.
(2) VS.33. Give God your best and He will respond in Kind.
2. If every Preacher will do his very best and If each of you will do your very best in growing your family, In your work and in your relationship with other members of this congregation.
3. Just be the very best Christian you can be, then you have only done what’s expected.
(1) If you do that, God will be glorified, God will bless you and you will grow spiritually and in number.
(2) Ask this question we asked at the beginning of lesson, “Why Not Your Best?”
(1) Why not be the best husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, boss, employee, or student you can be at school?
(2) Just ask and answer that question. “Why Not The Best?”
(3) Acts 20:32.

Spur - 11/19/2000 pm