We Must Be Holy in All Our Conduct - OFFER JEHOVAH YOUR BEST

According to the Mosaic Law, the Israelites were to offer specific sacrifices. (Leviticus 9:1-4, 15-21) The sacrifices were to be unblemished because they pointed to Jesus perfect sacrifice. Moreover, with each type of offering, or sacrifice, a specific procedure was to be followed.  For example, consider what was  required of the mother of the newborn child. Leviticus 12:6 states:  "When the days of her purification for a son or a daughter are completed, she will bring a young ram in its first year for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering to the entrance of the tent of meeting to the priest."  God's requirements were specific, but his loving reasonableness shine radiantly in the Law. If the other could not afford a sheep, she was allowed to offer two turtledoves or two young pigeons.  (Leviticus 12:8) Though poor, this worshipper was loved and appreciated just as much as the one bringing a more costly offering. What can we learn from this? 

The apostle Paul urged fellow believers to offer to God "a sacrifice of praise."  (Hebrews 13:15)  Our lips should make public declaration to Jehovah's name.  Deaf brothers and sisters use sign language to render such praise to God.  Housebound Christians praise him by letter writing, telephone witnessing, and preaching to attendants and visitors.  Our sacrifice of praise-our giving praise to Jehovah by making known his name and proclaiming the good news-should be commensurate with our health and ability. It ought to be our best. - ROMANS 12:1; 2 TIMOTHY 2:15.

Our sacrifices of praise are personal offerings voluntarily made to God because we love him. (Matthew 22:37, 38)  But we have asked to report our activity in the ministry. So, what attitude should we have toward this arrangement?  The report we submit each month is connected with our godly devotion. (2 Peter 1:7)  Of course, not of us should feel pressured to devote many hours to the ministry just to be able to turn into a larger report of our share in the field service.  That is precisely why a Kingdom publisher who is in a nursing home or who is somehow incapacitated may report field service in 15-minute increments rather than full hours.  Jehovah appreciates those minutes as the Kingdom publisher's best offering and as an expression of love for Him and  appreciation for the inestimable privilege of serving as one of His Witnesses.  Just like those individual reports become part of the total world report, which helps the organization to plan ahead for future Kingdom-preaching activity. So, then, is it really asking too much of us that we report our share in the preaching work? 

Next time: We Must Be Holy in All Our Conduct - OUR STUDY HABITS AND SACRIFICES OF PRAISE

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