Proverbs 21:3

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about doing right before doing things:

Proverbs 21:3 (ESV)

To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Making a sacrifice of your time, talent or treasure is a commendable thing. Giving someone your afternoon to help them move, or using your talent to encourage someone or putting money into a charity bucket is always good. But according to Solomon, in the above proverb, that is not what God wants, only. That sacrifice of time, talent and treasure is only the trailer being pulled behind the vehicle of Doing Right and Acting Just. You can’t do the sacrificial things without first doing the right thing and the just thing when called upon. We all think that doing good acts is what God wants. And, He does. But doing good acts must flow out of a heart that is just and right. Don’t get caught up in doing until you are first right with being. It is a lot easier to do right when you first and foremost are right by being IN CHRIST (Romans 5 and 6).   Remember, one of the issues with the nation of Israel was their willingness to go through the motions to do sacrifices:

Isaiah 1:11-14 (ESV)

11 “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?

says the LORD;

I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

and the fat of well-fed beasts;

I do not delight in the blood of bulls,

or of lambs, or of goats.

12 “When you come to appear before me,

who has required of you

this trampling of my courts?

13 Bring no more vain offerings;

incense is an abomination to me.

New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—

I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.

14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts

my soul hates;

they have become a burden to me;

I am weary of bearing them.

God wants our hearts, not our works.