The Sacrifice of Fools

The Sacrifice of Fools
 
No fools will be sacrificed in the exposition of this verse, but we would like to point out a few things.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 (NKJV) Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.

It would be foolish to sacrifice an unacceptable offering, as when Esau brought his leftover vegetables rather than the blood offering that God required. It is foolish to sacrifice if we are not sincere or to make a production of our giving for self aggrandizement. It would be foolish to sacrifice as a substitute for obedience as King Saul did while impatient with the prophet Samuel. It is foolish to bring a sacrifice to be praised by Men and thus perverse to God. It seems that there are many ways that we can be foolish in our offerings.

Believers today offer up spiritual sacrifices:
               1. Our bodies (Rom. 12:1-2);
               2. People led to the Savior (Rom. 15:16);
               3. Money (Phil. 4:18);
               4. Praise and good works (Heb. 13:15-16);
               5. A broken heart (Ps. 51:17); and
               6. Our prayers of faith (Ps. 141:1-2).

This is a worship service plain and simple. The music we sing should be an offering of praise to God that comes from a sincere heart. The message that is preached should be heard with intention to apply. The offerings we bring should be prudent and sincere, lest we give the sacrifice of fools.