Who do you want to please. . .your spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, best friend, neighbors, pastor, employer or most anybody you meet?

Truthfully, there is only one person that you ever need to worry about pleasing. . .because if He’s happy and well pleased, you can find contentment in life.

What does well-pleasing to God really mean. . . 

Well-pleasing is the Greek Word Strong's G2101 – euarestos. . .yü-ä'-re-stosG2101 come from the Greek word eu (yu) (G2095) which means to be “well-off, fare well, prosper.” 

That same Greek word is used in Matthew 25:21 which says:

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

And the remainder comes from the Strong's G701 – arestos which means pleasing, agreeable.

“And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” John 8:29

The Message Bible says, “The One who sent me stays with me. He doesn't abandon me. He sees how much joy I take in pleasing him."

The scripture offers some very basic guidelines on how you can live a life that is well-pleasing to God.

“For this way was well-pleasing to God.”  Matthew 11:26 NAS

Living your life under authority is well-pleasing to God.

“Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative.” Titus 2:9 NAS

The New King James Version says “not answering back” is well pleasing to God.”

Lucifer rejected Heavenly authority. . .he created strife and confusion by failing to recognize God’s authority.  He is still creating problems by deceptively blurring lines of authority.  He does this in the workplace, in churches and in homes.

For years Hollywood has promoted and even glorified a breakdown in authority.  They have denigrated the role of fathers making them often appear to be buffoons who have no clue about life or how to live it.

Kids are smart-talking and rebellious.   From the first deception in the Garden of Eden, Satan’s primary focus has always been rebellion against authority.

I see kids saying things to their parents that I would never have dreamed of saying to my folks.  Had I challenged my parents’ authority or made some smart aleck crack. . .I would have learned to regret it.

“Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” Colossians 3:20 NAS

This may seem insignificant. . .but a rebellious people will NEVER prosper and achieve the quality of life that God envisions for them.

One more thing on authority.  It’s easy to be under authority when things are going good. . .but the real measure of your obedience to authority comes when you disagree with those over you.

 “Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.”  1 Peter 2:13-17 MSG

We cannot account for what anyone else does, but we will give an account for everything we think, say and do. Understand this. . .authority is important to God.

Living the right kind of life is well-pleasing to God.

“I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 AMP

God doesn’t believe in doing anything half way.  In Revelation, the word says that if you’re lukewarm, He’s going to throw you out of his mouth and life (Revelation 3:16).

I love the way the Amplified says make a “decisive dedication” in Romans 12.  That’s the kind of commitment God wants from us.  I can assure you that He’s not going to listen to excuses about why we didn’t fulfill our divine purpose or maximize our time and talents.

In fact, on Judgment Day, as we review the things in your Book of Life, God is going to ask us a question with seven golden words that we need to memorize and use as a standard, a rule of measurement, for everything we do in life.

”Is This The Best I Can Do?”

God is the Creator of the Universe, the Alpha and the Omega and He has even numbered the hairs on your head. . .so He will already know whether what you’ve done is your best or not.

So here’s the question, in your workplace environment, have you made a decisive dedication to excellence?  Are you totally committed to quality in everything your hands find to do?  Have you decided to never settle for less than the best?

God wants to bless you beyond measure. . .but you must live a life that’s well-pleasing to Him.

“[The Judgment Seat of Christ ] Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”     2 Corinthians 5:9 NKJV

Your offerings should be well pleasing to Him.

“But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”  Philippians 4:18 NAS

What is an offering that is well pleasing to God?

It’s simple: the one He tells you to give.

Whether what you give is big or small in your own eyes, the important thing to remember is to listen to the voice of the Lord and obey Him in the offering. Way too many believers are tipping God. . . because they think that’s what they can afford to sow or what they’ve always given.  Ask God.  Only He knows what you need to reap down the road.

I challenge you to think very carefully about the three points I’m going to share with you about giving an offering that is well-pleasing to God.

First, God watches you give.

“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury. . .Mark 12:42

Jesus pulled a chair over where He could get a good view of how much people gave.

Second, He watches how much you give.

“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.   And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.” Mark 12:41-42

Can you imagine what would happen on Sunday morning if your pastor walked among the pews observing what everyone put into the offering?

Some “saint” would be complaining on the evening news about how “all the man of God was interested in. . .was money.”  Such foolishness does go on.

God does not tell you to give based on what’s in your wallet, pocketbook or checking account.

Third, God brags about good givers.

“And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Mark 12:43-344

This poor widow did not give what was convenient or usual. . .the scripture says that she cast in all. . .everything she had. . .not just the chump change. . .but “all her living.”

No doubt, on that day, Jesus observed some folks making large gifts to the treasury. . .but He only recognized and praised the one who gave all she had.  The one who overlooked every circumstance in her life. . .who rejected all rationalization and justification for not giving. . .the scripture memorializes the poor widow who gave all she had. . .the one who made an unusual offering.

God Wants You To Know This

(Important. . .I had finished writing this blog. . .when the Lord directed me to add something else to it. . .He also directed me to place the type in italics.))

“Harold, tell My children that it is also possible for them to give me an offering that is not well-pleasing to me.”  With those words He led me to Malachi 1:6-14.

6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?”

These believers were stunned to hear God say that they “despised his name.”  What would make someone who is serving God, someone who is in church every time the doors are open, a priest, a preacher. .   supposedly “working” for God, despise Him?

Before I answer that question. . .I want to share verse 6 with you in the New Living Translation.

“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!”  NLT

The Message Bible says, “God-of-the-Angel-Armies is calling you on the carpet: "You priests despise me!”

 7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

What is polluted bread? Two day old bread the kind you buy at a discount. . .moldy.  That is polluted bread.

When you giving polluted bread. . .the scripture is quite clear.

The New Living Translation says, “You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect.”

When you give less than your best, the Message Bible says,“'The altar of God is not important anymore; worship of God is no longer a priority,'”

 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

The Message Bible says, “Try a trick like that with your banker or your senator—how far do you think it will get you?" God-of-the-Angel-Armies asks you.”

God is saying these believers offered Him less than the best. . .the leftovers. . .the scrapes. . .the pocket change. . .things that were not important or significant to them.

Do we give God our best or do we hold back in our giving so we can afford a new car, a bigger house, or the things of this world?

It’s imperative that every believer understand that tithes and proper offerings is not
God going after our money. . .but rather God going after the poverty, lack and needs that will drag us down.

Here’s a revelation, God doesn’t need our money. . .but we need His blessing.

If you spend more money at a movie and concession stand than you do in advancing the cause of Christ. . .then you’re giving Him polluted offerings. . .less than the best.

If you were given a private audience with your Governor or the President, would you bring them a gift or offering less than your best?

What happens when you don’t give God your best. . .when you don’t ask Him what He would have you give?

Verse 10 is without equivocation . . .it’s clearly written. . .

 “. . .I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.”

Did you see that. . .God has “no pleasure” in those who give Him less than the best.  Not only that, He will not “accept an offering at your hand.”

The local church or ministry may accept your offering. . .but God will not. And as we know, He’s the only One who counts.

Verse 10 in the Message Bible says, “Why doesn't one of you just shut the Temple doors and lock them? Then none of you can get in and play at religion with this silly, empty-headed worship. I am not pleased. The God-of-the-Angel-Armies is not pleased. And I don't want any more of this so-called worship!”

This passage also shows that giving is an act of worship. . .giving is a sacred act of worship. . .

Deuteronomy 26:10 “And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God.”

Final Word

If you want to have a life worth living. . .a life well pleasing to God, then make your offerings sweet and acceptable in His sight.

We need to also heed the words found in Ephesians 5:10 (YLT)

“In your daily life make sure you’re doing what is well-pleasing to the Lord.”

Make no mistake. God wants to “make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:21 (NKJV)

What is well-pleasing in His sight. . .

“Beloved, I wish (desire) above all things that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.”

Our goal. . .our life’s purpose. . .should be to be well-pleasing in His sight.

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