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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Matthew 5; Numbers 30; 2 Samuel 4; 2 Chronicles 36; Job 25.
Matthew 5:17-26
[Jesus says,] “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insultshis brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
I’ve heard Jesus’ teaching about being reconciled before giving your gift as reason also to abstain from Holy Communion until you’ve reconciled with your brother or sister in Christ. That may be an appropriate application. But I recall a conversation with a woman years ago. She was a faithful member of the first church I served and was really struggling with forgiving her sister for some grave sin against her. As we spoke it was clear to me that the issue was forgiveness and not reconciliation. And although I’m not sure I made that important distinction for her, I do remember what I said.
”It sounds to me like you need to get gas for your car. And the gas is at the station on top of the hill. You need to get up the hill. But you have no gas to get there.” Believe me, the analogy made sense to me at the time. And it seemed to make sense to her. Bottom line, in the Lord’s supper is strength to do the good thing we desire to do. We need not deprive ourselves of the strength we receive in the Lord’s Supper by excluding ourselves from its blessings of strength and our own forgiveness. She appreciated the pastoral care I offered and came to the Lord’s Table the next Sunday. She also forgave her sister. I’m not sure they were ever reconciled; that’s another matter, for another time.
Jesus speaks of offering a gift, not going to the Lord to receive his gifts. And he says we should leave our gifts and go be reconciled before we give our gifts. He desires that we live in love with one another in his reign and rule. Offerings are good. But first go and be reconciled.
Another facet of going from the altar is important as well. One Christian leader speaks of doing your good works away from the cross, not toward it. The idea is that we don’t do good works to get to God. We do good works because God has come to us, inspired us with his gospel, and empowered us with the Holy Spirit.
I think of that as I reflect on David’s men coming to tell him of the death of Saul’s sons (cf. 2 Samuel 4). They thought that would ingratiate themselves to David. It did the exact opposite, however. David put them to death for the slaughter of innocent men. David had his flaws, to be sure. And his cruel and violent punishment of these men is not his best moment. But I’m ready to draw a parallel. Let’s not go to God with some supposed good work and expect a commendation from him.
We are the salt of the earth, and as such, we are to glorify God by our works, not lift ourselves up before God as though our gifts to him earn us some special favor or status. Humility and kindness toward others is the best offering we can make. It flows from the altar of God through those who recognize that they have been redeemed.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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