No Leftovers

Read This Week: Leviticus 22

When you sacrifice a thank offering to the Lord, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf. It must be eaten that same day; leave none of it till morning. I am the Lord. “Keep my commands and follow them. I am the Lord. Do not profane my holy name, for I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. – Leviticus 22:29-33 NIV

If you’ve ever wondered if your leftovers are still good to eat, Leviticus 22 gives us a Scriptural guide to holiness in matters of food, sacrifices, and cleanliness, and so much more. However, this chapter isn’t about whether to eat week-old pizza or chicken from the fridge; it’s another call to greater responsibility for those who follow God. It’s about the Lord’s insistence that what is set apart for Him and worship is to be treated with absolute particularity. As we’ve learned, the priests were given strict principles for approaching God and sacred things. This meticulous detail reminds us, once again, that holiness isn’t casual; it’s intentional, precise, and sometimes exact. This chapter is less about rules for rules’ sake and more about painting a picture of a God who is worth our best, not our leftovers.

Beneath the Old Testament details lies a timeless call to integrity, reverence, and excellence that still speaks powerfully into our lives today. The section begins by addressing the priests, reminding them that their responsibilities in handling sacred offerings required great care. Their actions carried weight for the entire community, teaching us that we, as believers and leaders, whether in faith, business, or daily life, are entrusted with responsibilities that we should take seriously, and our submission to the leading of the Holy Spirit is paramount. Integrity in leadership is never optional, because the way we handle even routine matters reflects on our walk with God and influences the trust others place in us.

The chapter also emphasizes that access to God’s presence is a privilege, not a casual right. Only those who were clean and within the priest’s household could partake of the holy offerings. While this might seem restrictive, it points to a more profound truth: closeness to God calls for gratitude, humility, and reverence. In our lives today, prayer, worship, and fellowship should not be seen as obligations but as gifts to be approached with honor and intentionality. This sense of purpose and integrity in our lives with God is the same one Paul referred to in Ephesians 2:1-2 when he said we should agree wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Following Jesus is eternally purposeful and impactful, and we should approach it as such.

Running throughout this passage is the reminder that God is holy, and those who serve Him are called to reflect that holiness. Purity in this context is not about perfectionism, but about living whole and consistent lives that honor God in both public and private spheres. God desires our best, not our leftovers. Although animal sacrifices are no longer required, the principle remains relevant: whatever we offer—our time, talents, or resources—should reflect our wholehearted devotion. This challenges us to consider whether we are giving God and others excellence, or simply what is most convenient.

God cares about the details because the details shape our hearts. When we live with reverence, integrity, and excellence, we not only draw nearer to Jesus but also cultivate trust and wholeness in every aspect of our journeys. The Bible calls us to give and live out of the bountiful abundance available in a life with God. Something that rich, beautiful, meaningful, and powerful deserves more than our leftovers.

5 Comments

  1. Trina on September 12, 2025 at 11:40 am

    Leviticus chapter 22 Verse 31
    So shall you heartily accept My commandments and conform your life and conduct to them. I am the Lord!

    Leviticus chapter 22 Verse 32
    Neither shall you profane My holy name, [applying it to an idol, or treating it with irreverence or contempt or as a byword]; but I will be hallowed among the Israelites, I am the Lord, Who consecrates and makes you holy.

    ~Follow God’s Commandments To Stay Holy And Pure~

    God Is Saying To Me:
    If you love me you will follow my Commandments. Being obedient to me is vital here on Earth because you are my representative and my Holy Priest. I am the Lord and you are mine. When you keep my Commandments you come to know me more and more!

    What This Means To Me:
    Rebellion against God does not produce disciplined Christians. Following God’s Commandments does and it becomes a lifestyle. It’s important to strive to give God your best because you desire to serve Him with your whole heart, not out of obligation or some type of ritual. I am a spiritual sacrifice for God. Therefore, I must give God my best efforts and service, viewing God’s gifts as blessings, cleansing myself daily by washing myself in God’s word and remaining holy without delay in serving him. Give God your very best without blemish and don’t expect him to take your leftovers.

    Father God Also Gave This Additional Insight:

    Leviticus chapter 22 Verse 2
    Say to Aaron and his sons that they shall stay away from the holy things which the Israelites dedicate to Me, that they may not profane My Holy name: I am the Lord!

    Father God uses the words, “I am the Lord!” Multiple times in this chapter and throughout the book of Leviticus. It’s relevant to us today!

    ~Life Of A Disciplined Christian~

    God Is Saying To Me:
    Did you pay attention to how many times I repeated myself, saying, “I am the Lord?” I am in charge of everything and need you to totally understand my authority and holiness.

    What This Means To Me:
    God’s character is shown by linking His authority and holiness to the laws acceptable for sacrifices and the conduct of the priest. Having a clear understanding regarding the sanctity of offerings and the need for purity. These were not random requests from God but are rooted in God’s own nature and authority. This request is a call to action for Christians of today which requires respect for sacred things and living a life that reflects God’s set apart nature. The standard of holiness and purity is as high as God himself through the blood of Christ. So go Trina and live a life of integrity and spiritual cleanliness to avoid profaning My name. Thank you Father God that you are the High Priest through Jesus and I am a member of your Royal Priesthood. God has sanctified me to do great things for His honor and the Kingdom. It’s extremely important for me to follow God’s Commandments and help show others that there is a better way to live that is filled with the Fruits of the Spirit and so much more! ❤️❤️❤️

  2. PK Chat on September 14, 2025 at 9:38 am

    Who are you? What is the real you? Not the mask you wear, not the image you project, but the authentic person inside. What do you put out into the world? What are you really all about? When people see you, what do they see? When they hear you, what do they hear? When they are around you, what do they feel?

    For a born-again Christian, the answer isn’t simple—because now you carry two natures: the old nature and the new. And here’s how I like to put it—Christians are bipolar. Sometimes they’re operating in the old nature, caught up in the ways of the world. Other times they’re in the Spirit, living out the new nature, walking in the ways of the Lord. Back and forth, old and new, flesh and Spirit.

    And so here’s the truth: at some point you must choose sides. The authentic you—the true son or daughter of God—is not found in wavering back and forth. It’s found in choosing to live in your new nature. You learn the ways of the Lord, you practice His Word, you listen to His Spirit, and you follow His leading. That’s how you begin to live consistent and authentic: the inside matching the outside.

    This is not the world’s path. It’s the road less traveled. We are not called to blend in—we are called to stand out. Yes, Paul said to be all things to all people so that some may be won, but that doesn’t mean fitting into the world’s mold. It means standing out with holiness, courage, and truth so that others see Christ in us.

    As we grow stronger in God’s ways, we become bold, courageous, full of His peace, love, and joy. God flows to us and through us, and those around us feel heaven on earth. This is the blessing of walking in the Spirit, but it’s also the responsibility of every believer. As Christians, we carry a greater responsibility—to live authentically in Christ.

    1. Choose Your Nature – Every Christian carries both the old and the new nature, but authenticity comes when we deliberately choose the new. Holiness isn’t automatic; it’s a decision to walk consistently in the Spirit.

    2. Guard What is Holy – Just as the priests had to carefully protect the sacred offerings, we must guard the purity of our lives and not treat God’s presence casually. Authentic faith handles holy things with reverence.

    3. Bring God Your Best – God demanded unblemished offerings because He deserves excellence, not leftovers. Living authentically means giving God the best of our time, our devotion, and our lives—because He has redeemed us.

  3. Heidi on September 14, 2025 at 1:43 pm

    Leviticus 22 — Hearts Set Apart
    Father God is Holy and we belong to Him

    Father God is holy, and we belong to Him. In this chapter, He reminds us that He is not only after what we do — He is after our hearts. He sanctifies us, and we are called to honor His name in everything we do.

    In Leviticus 22, God tells His priests that everything offered to Him must be holy, without blemish, and given with reverence. Why? Because our offerings reflect our hearts toward Him. They reveal our love and how we honor His holy name.

    Verses 31–32 especially touched me:

    “So you shall keep My commandments, and do them: I am the Lord. You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.”

    This reminds us that it is God who sets us apart — but we must also desire to live holy, different, and surrendered to His purpose. To “profane” means to treat something as common. God wasn’t just saying, “Don’t curse My name.” He was saying, “Don’t live in a way that makes My name look ordinary.”

    When He said, “I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel,” He was saying: “I want to show My holiness through you — but you must choose to walk in My will and My ways.”

    We are like billboards of His presence. Holiness isn’t just avoiding sin — it’s letting God’s presence shine out of us in everyday life. What do people see when they look at you? Do your choices and your words point them to Jesus?

    Our offerings today aren’t just animals on an altar — they are our words, our worship, our attitudes, and our daily choices. Each one should reflect that Jesus is our spotless sacrifice, and through Him we are sanctified and welcomed into God’s presence.

    So offer your life with a willing heart. God promises to change hearts — but only when we say yes. A closed heart is stubborn and resists the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 3:15 says: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

    God has already set us apart through Jesus, but not everyone lives it out. Some people say they walk with Him, but their choices and words tell another story. To live differently, our hearts must stay soft and open. We don’t want to ignore Him — we want to stay surrendered, letting Him shape our hearts and lives so the world can see His holiness.

    So think about this: What does your life say about the Father you serve? When people hear your words and see your choices, do they see something ordinary… or do they see Jesus alive in you?

    Thank You, Father God, that we belong to You — and that through Jesus, You sanctify us and let us carry Your holiness into the world. ️

    When your heart is set apart, your life becomes a living billboard of God’s holiness.

  4. Alma on September 15, 2025 at 9:35 pm

    This week in Leviticus chapter 22 I got a song

    Seek you
    Oh Lord, we want to seek you oh Lord, we want to seek you to follow you all of our days on earth and in heaven you are an awesome God an awesome God we want to live holy like you walking in your presence being in the light for other showing your kindness your Love,Giving a kind word hoping to bring the loss to you oh Lord, hoping to bring the loss to you oh Lord we want others to have a change of heart a change of heart to know you are Lord we want to seek you seek you all throughout our days. Amen

    Our Lord is so amazing. He loves all of his children, and he loves when we stand and talk to others about his word. We want to bring all to know the Lord amen.

  5. reachchurch on October 5, 2025 at 1:21 pm

    PODCAST
    This Week in the Life: Leviticus 22

    For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and then the second song.

    1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250914-worship1.wav
    2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250914-message.wav
    3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250914-worship2.wav

    Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect

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