For profit worhip?

Malachi 3:14 " It is futile to serve God, what did we gain by carrying out His requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord almighty?"

I am a marketeer by trade, and the first rule of discounting is that when you give a discount or freebies you always need to get something in return, like future revenue . It really is the way that most of us operate. Most of our actions that we do for others leave our hearts quietly demanding a reward for that action. It is the American way of trading and building our own little empires. We even do that with God, or should I say we try to.

When I look at the passage above, it reminds me of all the times I told God that I have done x and y for Him, so he should do z for me. How foolish. Who I am I to think that I have leverage to barter with the God of the universe? It is something that most of do, or have done, and the prosperity Gospel is even preached a lot in pulpits today. The rewards God gives as he favorably looks upon our actions are of His design not ours. Many of us look at God as a short order cook at a truck stop where we can belly up to a table and design our trade and set the price, as we frame our offers to God. If we are not careful, we can view God as this poor God that is just willing to do whatever it takes so that we will have any thing to do with Him. The real evil that exists in those actions is that we are setting ourself up as God and put God (or at least try and fail to) subject to our demands...not the best idea.

Does anyone remember the prayer of Jabez craze? I don't think I need to say anymore. people running around saying I got the calendar and planner for next year, I am going to pray that prayer and God is going to increase my territory as well. Just as the Israelites in the time Malachi were tired of going through the motions of an empty hearted relationship, we must realize that the fullness of relationship with God is defined by spiritual awakening, enlightenment by His Spirit and Joy in this life, not by what we want to get by using God.

Tough words, but ones I wanted to share with you.... Bless the Lord oh my soul andlet us not forget His Love today.