“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22

Saul was given very specific instructions by God to attach the Amalekites and destroy everything that belongs to them putting death to men, women, children, and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys (v3). However, Saul spared King Aga’s life and kept the best plunder (v9). He justified how he can honour God with the plunder (v15 & v21). As a result, God’s favour departed from him.

At times, we “justify” our actions under the simulation of bringing glory to God. Pursuing a relationship with a non-believer under the simulation of adding another soul into God’s kingdom. Making money, at the expenses of one’s integrity (as mild as putting in 100-hour work week to as manifest as fraud), under the simulation of giving it away for God’s purposes. If I could imagine God’s face, it would be a wily grin, one eyebrow raised with a cynical “Oh really?” More often than not, we fall away – the pilgrimage is watered down and we keep the money. It is an intention; it is the concern of the mind. God doesn’t need anything from us – He is no one’s debtor. He wants our love and devotion, and at the heart of our love for Him is obedience (1 John 2:4)