the right thing

Today's verse of the day caught my eye.  To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.  Proverbs 21:3

It caught my eye because at first it didn't make sense.  Mostly because doing the "right thing" often seems like a sacrifice.  So if we're sacrificing our fun and enjoyment and recklessness in order to do right then how can this verse be applied?

I have, many times, heard the term "sacrifice" in relation to what parents do for their own children. They sacrifice their time, their needs, their clean house, etc.  Sometimes people use that word to illustrate how they give up what they want so that someone can have something instead.

But the verse said that the right thing is MORE important than the sacrifice.  But wait, it's the SAME thing!

Obviously, when Solomon used these words in his proverb, he was referring to the physical sacrifice of an animal on an alter.  But surely there are other meanings of that word; meanings that we use all the time:

"I sacrificed my figure when I had kids."

"I sacrificed my dessert so that I could get that figure back."

"I sacrificed my day off so I could help a friend move."

"I sacrificed the comfort of my toes so I could wear these awesome new heels."

In our use of the word "sacrifice" we seem to be giving something up in order to be getting something even better.  And we'll hear the words, "It was worth the sacrifice."

In fact, look at all these famous quotes about sacrificing.

A sacrifice to be real must cost, must hurt, must empty ourselves.  Mother Theresa

Sacrifice is giving up something something good in order to get something better.

Sweat plus sacrifice equals success.  Charles O. Finley

Wow, kinda looks like sacrificing will help us move along and succeed and get things we've always wanted.  But I believe the original intent of that word, found in the Bible, means something almost entirely opposite. (note: the earliest use of the common word sacrifice appears to have been in the 13th century latin language, derived from the translation and meaning of the Hebrew word zebach, which was used in the Bible.)  To sacrifice meant to hand over an innocent animal to be killed as an atonement for our sinfulness.  It was not giving up of ourselves for something better. It was placing our sin on something/someone that didn't deserve it at all.

In that case, our correct use of the original word might sound something like this:

"I sacrificed my neighbor and threw them in front of a bus so I could have their tv."

"I sacrificed my mailman's paycheck so that I could donate to my local food bank."

"I sacrificed my brother's freedom and he went to jail for my crime so I could continue living the good life."

Wow, suddenly the use of this word is painfully self-centered and grossly sinful.  And yet that's what I'm guessing was happening in the days when Solomon wrote that verse.  People were sinning with the promise that all they had to do was sacrifice an innocent animal and their sins would be absolved.  That seems pretty easy.  Shoot, I can go ahead and sin all day if I'm not the one paying the price for my sins.

But the purpose of this innocent sacrifice was to draw people's hearts into love and not into indifference.  It was never meant to be the bandaid that covered up everyone's indiscretions.  It purposed to draw the minds of people toward Jesus' love for us and toward the eternal significance of His innocent sacrifice.

But I feel that we have forgotten the original intent.  We have misused the word to make it about us and how noble we can be in order to obtain something even more valuable.  But it was really all about Jesus to begin with.  When did it even shift?

Keeping all this in mind makes the verse-of-the-day so much more clear:  It would be better to do the right thing than to ask for forgiveness later.  Well, duh.  I know that. And yet the organizers of YouVersion Bible app decided I needed that reminder.

And what a helpful reminder it is because I'll admit that I've considered making reckless mistakes just so that I can see what it's like to "live a little."  In my mind I thought, Oh well, it's not like it's going to ruin me forever.  God can cover a multitude of my sins.  And although God can set my feet on solid ground again, why would I do that to Him?  Why would I disregard the exceptional value of His sacrifice so that I can have my fun?  What kind of bride of Christ would I be if I used the promise of His forgiveness for my sinful pleasure?  A terrible one, that's what kind.  But I love and respect Jesus too much to abuse His goodness and grace in such a self-centered manner.

So what is the right thing to do?  In so many situations, right is relative.  So I guess my answer to that would be that the right thing to do is meet with God; pray to Him; read His word; seek His face.  After that, the right thing will look a little more desirable or easy to identify.