1 Samuel 2:12-17

The Sin of Eli’s Sons

12 Now the sons of Eli were [f]worthless men; they did not know the Lord 13 and the custom of the priests with the people. When any man was offering a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand. 14 Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. Thus they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15 Also, before they burned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest meat for roasting, as he will not take boiled meat from you, only raw.” 16 If the man said to him, “They must surely [g]burn the fat [h]first, and then take as much as [i]you desire,” then he would say, “No, but you shall give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force.” 17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for the men despised the offering of the Lord.

The worst part of this whole scene was that the meat offered in sacrifice was indeed supposed to help provide for the priests and their families. But instead of taking what the law gave them, Eli’s sons took what they craved instead.

Instead of being content, they were greedy and wanted more, even though they would have plenty by the provision of the law.

When God provides for you, don’t try to milk more out of it by being greedy. Be content and thankful for what He has provided. Only then can He provide you with more blessings to help those around you (not to hoard yourself).

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