“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16 NKJV). This text describes some Jewish Christians who, because of their knowledge that Jesus was the Messiah, were no longer able to worship with other Jews. Praise and acts of service had become their sacrifices – ones they could offer anytime, anywhere. In other words, when they served others, God was pleased with the “sacrifice.” What was true for them, then, is still true for us today. God intends for us to offer sacrificial service to Him by serving others.
We must serve others with a sacrifice that is costly (Acts 4:32-37). To give sacrificially requires more than a token effort or gift. God wants us to give voluntarily, but He wants it to mean something. Giving to God what costs you nothing does not demonstrate commitment.
We must serve others with a sacrifice that is dedicated (Matthew 19:21). Does dedication mean that we should sell everything we own? Not necessarily. We should, however, be willing to give up anything if God needs for us to do so. This kind of attitude allows nothing to come between us and God, and that attitude keeps us from using our God-given wealth selfishly. If you are comforted by the fact that Christ did not tell all His followers to sell all their possessions, then you may be too attached to what you have.
We must serve others with a sacrifice that is complete (Romans 12:1). When sacrificing an animal, a priest would kill the animal, cut it in pieces and place it on the altar. Sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament, God made it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 40:6; Amos 5:21-24). God wants us to offer ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices – daily laying aside our own desires to follow Him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us. We do this out of gratitude that our sins have been forgiven.
Our sacrifices are especially pleasing to God when we ‘do good and share’ out of a heart filled with genuine love. Such sacrifices tend to make our service to others a matter of grace rather than constraint.
