Malachi 2:1-9 - Listen to this message now in Real Audio or download as MP3

Its  the thought that counts.

 A thoughtful present is often more cherished than an expensive one given from a sense of obligation. It would be insulting to give someone a present that was broken or obviously second hand. In Malachi 1 the priests and the people gave presents to God that were broken, stolen and worthless. This was insulting enough except that the thought behind their present was even worse. They didn’t even care about God any more. In Malachi 2 the priests are in trouble because they had not done their job properly and that was to teach God’s people how to love Him and glorify Him. The priests didn’t want to upset the people because they were afraid of losing their support. They compromised God’s glory for their own glory. It is easy for us to do the same, to draw back from sharing something about God because we’re scared of being rejected. Let’s take God’s glory to heart and share our faith even though we may find it hard to do.