The very first sacrificial offering recorded in the Bible with which God was pleased was offered by Abel (Genesis 4:4). He lived under Patriarchy, and like under Judaism, specified animal sacrifices pleased the Lord. In those cases, the animal sacrifices and other acts of obedience were manifestations of a sacrificial disposition of the mind. However, then as well as presently under Christianity, it is possible for one to go through the motions of sacrifice and other acts of obedience without those activities genuinely reflecting a person’s true heart; a hypocritical person can feign devotion to God (Acts 5:1-9). Yet, it is certain that when people disobey God that He is displeased with them (Luke 6:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; 1 Peter 4:17).
In order for God to be pleased with people today, they must obey divine instruction from the heart, which manifests itself in righteous conduct. The apostle Paul commended first century Christians in Macedonia for sacrificing from their hearts, which made it much easier and likely that they would demonstrate that sacrificial spirit outwardly.
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5 NKJV emphasis added)
The kind of sacrifice that pleases God today appears in Romans 12:1-2, which reads, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). As opposed to Patriarchy and Judaism, under Christianity especially the child of God must give his or her whole being to God in Christian service in order to be pleasing to Him. Like the Macedonians whom Paul praised, when we dedicate ourselves to the Lord, then it is not difficult to offer to God our money, other possessions and our time. Whenever Christians are reluctant to or fail to sacrifice to God, it indicates that they have not given themselves to God either.
There are numerous kinds of sacrifices that please God today. They are all outgrowths of first offering ourselves to God. One kind of acceptable sacrifice today is giving to God some of our material possessions or money. “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). Consider also that sacrifices today include heartfelt expressions and good works. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16). No, our sacrifices to God under Christianity do not involve animal sacrifices, but instead many of the sacrifices with which God is pleased today are “spiritual sacrifices.” “[Y]ou also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).
