What the Bible says about Familiarity with God
(From Forerunner Commentary)
God wants us to realize how great He is, and when we give an offering, we are to do so with His greatness in mind. The offerings Israel made at this time were not done with a right heart. They were becoming indifferent toward God and the way they conducted their lives. They were treating the commands of God with familiarity and carelessness. They came to look upon them as simply ordinary. Thus, He says that He has no pleasure in Israel and would not accept their offerings.
We are to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)'from our heart and with a right attitude. We should be deeply appreciative of all His love toward us, the good that He does for us, and the care that He gives us. Whatever we do before God must be done with a right heart, and whatever we give must be given in a right attitude. Abraham reflected this, and he is known as the "father of the faithful" (Romans 4:16). God knew that Abraham would instruct his children to follow suit (Genesis 18:19).
John O. Reid
TithingRelated Topics: Attitude | Attitude in Giving | Carelessness | Cheerful Attitude | Familiarity with God | Father of the Faithful | Offering | Offerings | Profane/Holy Distinction
The disciples feared exceedingly! They were learning that God is not a man, and the proper level of respect was beginning to be nurtured in them. We never become so familiar with God that we lose the edge of proper apprehension mixed with reverential awe and respect.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Sin, Christians, and the Fear of GodRelated Topics: Disrespect of God | Familiarity with God | Fear of God | Respect for God | Reverential Respect for God