What Makes a Sacrifice Acceptable to God? Lessons from 1 Corinthians 13:3
By Dr Joel Dabbas
Beloved, it is important to note that it takes reference and spiritual intelligence to understand how to accurately interact with and enjoy the benefits of the things of the Spirit. The system of the Spirit is not mystical but revelatory it unveils itself when you grow in alignment.
From scripture we understand that if mortals must have any genuine dealings with God, sacrifice must be involved.
Now, the question is not merely “Is there a sacrifice?”
The deeper question is “Does the sacrifice have quality?”
Because in the economy of the Spirit, it is not the size of a sacrifice that moves God - it is its quality.
And Scripture gives us the standard.
1 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV):
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
Other translations render “charity” as love - the God-kind of love.
This scripture reveals something profound:
A man can give everything.
A man can even give himself.
A man can endure fire.
And yet, before God, it profits nothing.
Why? Because love is what gives sacrifice its weight in the Spirit.
Now let us explore this mystery.
Love Is the Substance of Sacrifice
A burnt sacrifice in Scripture was completely consumed. Nothing was held back. But Paul reveals that total consumption alone does not equal divine acceptance.
You can give:
Your money
Your time
Your reputation
Your body
Your life
Yet if the motive is pride, competition, fear, self-righteousness, or performance — Heaven records zero profit.
Love is what turns an act into worship.
Without love, sacrifice becomes transaction.
With love, sacrifice becomes fragrance.
I often say that "when your sacrifice is not enough, love makes it more than enough."
Motive Determines Quality
Beloved, God does not only measure what leaves your hand — He measures what moves your heart.
Two people may give the same offering.
Two people may fast the same number of days.
Two people may preach the same message.
But Heaven weighs the motive.
Quality in a burnt sacrifice is determined by:
Purity of intention
Alignment with God’s will
Absence of self-glorification
Genuine affection for God and people
This is why Abel’s offering was accepted and Cain’s was not (Genesis 4). The issue was not merely the material — it was the heart posture.
Sacrifice Must Be Born from Revelation
Another dimension of quality is understanding.
A sacrifice offered in ignorance may carry sincerity, but a sacrifice offered in revelation carries authority.
When you understand:
Who God is,
What He has done,
And what He deserves,
Then your giving becomes intelligent worship — not emotional reaction.
Love Makes the Fire Accept It
In the Old Testament, the fire consumed the burnt offering as a sign of acceptance. In the New Covenant, love is the invisible fire that validates sacrifice.
Love:
Purifies intention
Sustains consistency
Removes resentment
Makes giving joyful
If love is absent, sacrifice becomes painful.
If love is present, sacrifice becomes privilege.
The Highest Quality Sacrifice
The highest quality burnt sacrifice is not merely what costs you something — it is what flows from a heart that genuinely loves God and His purposes.
That is why Jesus could go to the cross without bitterness. Love gave His sacrifice eternal value.
Beloved, hear me:
Not every giving moves God.
Not every suffering counts as worship.
Not every burnt offering rises as fragrance.
Love is what gives sacrifice its quality.
So before you ask, “What am I giving?”
Ask, “Why am I giving?”
Because according to Scripture — even if you give your body to be burned — without love, it profits nothing.
May your sacrifices not only be costly -
May they be qualified by love.
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