Leviticus 22:20
“But whatever has a defect, that you shall not offer; for it shall not be acceptable for you.”
What does Leviticus 22:20 mean?
When God gave instructions about sacrifices in ancient Israel, He asked for animals that were whole and healthy, not sick or injured ones. This wasn't arbitrary—it reflected the idea that what we offer to God should reflect our sincere commitment and respect, not what we want to get rid of anyway. The principle still speaks to us today: giving generously means offering something that costs us something, not just our leftovers or what we were going to throw away. For those struggling, this can be encouraging rather than condemning—it reminds us that God values genuine devotion from the heart over perfect performance.