ONLY THE BEST

NUMBERS 18:20-32```

```KEY VERSE:``_Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of The LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it" (NUMBERS 18:29)._

A story is told of a thirteen-year-old girl who listened intently to her pastor's sermon about God's love in giving the best gift of His Son to die for everyone. He spoke about the love of Jesus who willingly offered His life on the Cross for our sins. The girl's heart was deeply touched by what she heard. She had no money, so it seemed as though she had nothing to give to The Lord. Then, she thought of a gift that would please God very much. When the usher passed the offering plate, she whispered to him, "Please lower the offering plate." He lowered it. She kept requesting the plate to be lowered until it reached the floor. Then, she stepped into the offering plate and stood in it. She was giving The Lord the very best gift she could ever afford. She was giving herself to The Lord! What a story of what it means to truly give our best to The Lord!

Like the Levites in today's text, believers are to give their best as hallowed gifts to The Lord. As a songwriter, Howard Benjamin Grose captured it in a hymn:

_Give of your best to The Master;_
_Give of the strength of your youth;_
_Throw your soul's fresh, glowing ardour;_
_Into the battle for truth._

Believers are to offer their best unto The Lord. Jesus proved His love by giving us the best - His life. We must give Him our all - heart, life, time, talents, and treasures. This can be done through total obedience to His words; we must preach the gospel, share His love, be devoted and consecrated, and teach, model, and mentor the old and young until Christ is formed in them. Be a blessing to everyone. Then, you will experience more of His transforming and satisfying love.

✍🏽```THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:``` _What have you given to The Lord that cost you something?_