TODAY'S LESSON: OBEDIENCE vs. SACRIFICE
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice....
I Samuel 15: 22b
Have you ever studied something for so long and thought you knew it so well only to discover that you had missed the point all together. 
That's kinda the way it is with obedience and sacrifice.
This is where I usually give you a nice little definition, but this time I think I'll use an example.
I just got a job earning $400/wk. gross(NOTICE I DIDN'T MENTION NET-WE'LL GET BACK TO THAT!)
OK,
I JUST GOT MY FIRST PAY CHECK, WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
WELL,
Leviticus 27:30 says that
the tithe is the Lord's
(OBEDIENCE)
BUT....
(IT'LL GET YOU IN TROUBLE EVERY TIME)
THERE'S THIS CHRISTIAN CRUISE THAT I REALLY WANT TO GO ON AND
WELL...
YOU NOW.
STOP RIGHT THERE!
The word “tithe” is derived from the Hebrew word ma’aser and it literally means a tenth
so....
Ten percent of everything belongs to the Lord.
Ok, ok ok...
I'll put in the $40(10% of $400)
just let me put some aside for this cruise and a few other things first.
NO, NO, NO!
GOD DOESN'T WANT YOUR LEFTOVERS, HE WANTS HIS PART
FIRST
BY THE WAY
GROSS IS BEFORE TAXES
NET IS AFTER.
GOING BACK TO
TEN PERCENT OF
EVERYTHING
BELONGS TO THE LORD.
(SEE I TOLD YOU WE'D COME BACK TO IT)
NOW,
he knows that you want to go on that cruise, he knows how much it costs, he knows how much you make on the job, but he also knows what 10% of $400 is and as they say, "You're, I'll take his out later ain't gonna cut it"
Truth is: You might get something out of that cruise.
a Christian spouse
a best friend
a sermon that meets a need that you've had for a long time.
It might be God's will for you to go on this trip, but do you really think he's gonna make it possible for you to go if you don't first obey him by giving him what is his already?
REMEMBER, SIN WILL TAKE YOU FURTHUR THAN YOU WANT TO GO, MAKE YOU STAY LONGER THAN YOU WANT TO STAY, AND
MAKE YOU PAY FAR MORE THAN YOU WANT TO PAY!
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart:and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
