Give of your best to the Master,
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example –
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion,
Give Him the best that you have.
Give of your best to the Master,
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service,
Consecrate ev’ry part.
Give, and to you will be given –
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have. [Refrain]
Give of your best to the Master,
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above:
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration,
Give Him the best that you have. [Refrain]
Refrain:
Give of your best to the Master,
Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.
Howard B. Grose, 1902
Read Malachi 1:6-9
God deserves our best. That shouldn’t be a controversial or surprising statement. And I believe all of us would agree with it. However, living that out can be more challenging. It is easy to get distracted, overbooked and overwhelmed. Soon, God barely has our attention on Sunday morning, much less at any point during the week. The hymnwriter challenges us to see the magnitude of what Christ has called us to, and embrace that calling with everything we have. How could we do anything less?
