"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs." Psalm 69:30,31 NIV.
We think God would be pleased if we did great things like building a hospital or funding an orphanage. There is nothing wrong with great charitable acts, except most of us can't do them. At best, we feel we can only do a little something and say to ourselves, "Oh well, it is a little something for God, and I hope it is OK."
GOD'S STANDARDS
God's values are different from ours. Our world is a shadow of the true reality; there is much more to understand about God. We are confused by worldly standards; He is more pleased with songs of praise and prayers of thanks than millions of dollars given in his name.
It is right to do good works to honor God (not confused with earning salvation since salvation is a gift and can't be bought or earned, see Ephesians 2:8, 9, and Titus 3:5). We think God wants grand monuments, but he wants our hearts and expressions of love and gratitude. This is possible for anyone who knows God, not only the rich and well-off.
WORSHIP
God treasures the expressions of worship and gratitude and esteems them above donations, gifts, and wealth. God's Word is a revelation that clarifies that He desires our worship and obedience over gifts and sacrifices; we are commanded many times to give our gifts and sacrifices, but we must remember that heartfelt worship is more pleasing to God than cash.
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAISE
A gift may be done coldly and absently, especially in the age of tax deductions where a gift may actually favor us with tax returns. Praise and worship differ from all other giving; it's natural causes a different level of personal involvement; we actually have to think about God, draw conclusions of what God has done for us, and respond. In worship, we grow spiritually and closer with our Creator. Worship goes beyond the actions of sacrifice and brings us closer to God's purpose with mankind- a relationship.
Let us continue to give gifts and sacrifices to the Lord more than ever, but better than that, let us do more and more songs to the Lord and give him thanksgiving, for this will please the Lord most.
