Why not offer it to your governor?

Malachi 6:6-9, “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Thy name?’ “You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled Thee?’ In that you say, ‘The table of the LORD is to be despised.’ But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?” says the LORD of hosts. But now will you not entreat God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?” says the LORD of hosts.

It’s not that God demands perfect sacrifice; He is interested in the attitude of our heart. Man looks sees the external, but God sees the heart. In bringing the sacrifice, the heart that honors God more than a human governor seeks to present the very best offering to Him. Am I offering Him my leftovers or my very best?

Change my heart, O God, that I might present my very best offering to You!