Truths from the OT: Obedience to God is better than sacrifice.

Obedience to God is better than sacrifice.  When Israel's first anointed king, Saul, brought justice upon the Amalekites (for attacking the desert wandering Israelites), he elected to follow the desires of the soldiers and did not complete God's decree.  Samuel, acting as The Lord's mouthpiece, informs Saul for the second time that God seeks men after his own heart, or devoted loyalty, not haphazard “worship” on man's terms (1 Samuel 15:22).  As foretold by Samuel, the kingdom is eventually torn from Saul, due to his perpetual disobedience, and given to David.  (1 Samuel 16:13).  Many self-proclaimed Christians run the risk of worshiping The Lord like Saul - on their own terms and not Gods.  If we profess to love Christ, then we must obey his commands (John 14:15), which will prove difficult if we don't learn what he commands in scripture.  God doesn't want us to sacrifice our service, our time, or our money to him.  He wants us.  We are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to The Lord.  (Rom. 12:1).  We are commanded to render everything, to love The Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30).