Today I was thinking about a sweet- smelling sacrifice. The Bible talks about this subject from Old Testament to New Testament. As I was pondering this, the Lord said to me, “it’s not about the smell at all, it’s about what it represents.
Leviticus 2:9 says, It is an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.
This scripture was referring to grain offerings.
In Genesis 8:20-21, we see Noah, after the flood, offering a sacrifice to the Lord.
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma.
Philippians 4:17-19 says, Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 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. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
And finally, Ephesians 5:2; And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering, and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. This scripture tells us that Jesus Christ, Himself, was an offering to God…a sweet-smelling aroma.
Did you know each time you give God an offering, it comes up to Him as a sweet-smelling sacrifice?
Acts 10:4 says, Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.
Our gifts, as well as our prayers, ascend to God. They rise to Him. And when those gifts or offerings are a sacrifice, they produce a sweet-smelling aroma to God, just as they did in days of old.
Those times you gave out of simple obedience. Or those times you gave because you loved God so much you had to give…they arose to Him, as a pleasing, sweet-smelling aroma…one that pleased His heart.
Isn’t that great news!
Just as the woman who washed Jesus’ feet, then perfumed them with a sweet-smelling aroma was showing her love for Him. In the same manner, when you give, you show your love for God and for His people. It is pleasing to Him. He savors it. It is an endearing scent of your love to Him. One He cherishes.
That is what He is showing me today. Each time I give to Him, each time you give to Him, it is a pleasing aroma to Him. That makes my heart glad!
Philippians 4:19 in speaking about this sweet-smelling aroma of giving, goes on to say, and my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
My prayer for you today is this; May your gifts, your offerings, your alms, arise unto God today, ministering to Him a sweet-smelling aroma. As that happens, may my God supply ALL YOUR NEED, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
