Night Etching: A Gift Worth Offering

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First, be reconciled to your brothers and then come and offer your gift. -Matthew 5:23-24

The Jews use to bring their gifts to the altar to worship God. The Pharisees were concerned with the condition of the act of how the worshiper brought the gift. Jesus was more concerned with the condition of the heart of the worshiper. A gift of an animal or a gift of monies will not relieve the worshiper of the problem that he may have with his brother that is in need of repair. Only an acknowledgment and an apology will fix the relationship. That is a gift of love.