ARE WE GOOD PEOPLE?
To obey is better than sacrifice!

Most people of the world are confident of their "goodness." After all, the large majority of us are not in a league with all of the murders, molester's and monsters of the world! Compared to them (we conclude), we are very good indeed!  Based on our perceived virtue, most assume that if there is a heaven, we who have done good things shall certainly be there.

The life of Saul, first king of Israel provides a fascinating story.  Here was a man chosen to lead God's people- the opportunity of a lifetime! On one occasion, Saul was commanded by God to take his army and destroy the Amelekites and all they possessed. So the king summoned his army and marched in victory over the enemy. However, during the battle Saul reasoned that he was engaging in a mighty waste. Why kill all the livestock when it could be offered up to God as a sacrifice? After all, God loves when we make sacrifices to Him! So Saul spared the best of the animals. When Samuel (God's prophet, Saul's mentor) heard of this, he informed the Israelite King that God had rejected him because of his disobedience. His authority would soon be stripped away!

What a shocking response to something that was supposed to be for good! Saul's intentions appeared to be pure; all he wanted to do was present an offering to his God! And yet, his actions led to the loss of his kingship. Why? Samuel told him:

 "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings & sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, & to heed is better than the fat of rams..."
(1 Samuel 15:22)

If we feel that our "offerings" of goodness are all that the God of the universe expects of us, we had best be forewarned! God is most concerned with our obedience to Him, and to Him alone! Our encouragement is to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:2), people whose lives are an offering to Him! This is goodness to God!