In the business world, there is a thing called CYA, or cover your ass (or arse). It means doing things to protect yourself. Its purpose is to protect you if things go wrong later. It is the same mentality as that of German soldiers after the Holocaust, defending their actions as “only following orders.” The problem is that many treat God the same way. Doing things to CYA or cover their bases with God – just in case.
Proverbs says, “Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21:3, CSB) That flips religious CYA on its head. Also consider what Jesus said: “Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13, CSB)
We don’t sacrifice animals, so what is the point? If we do things to appease God, it feels like a sacrifice. We sacrifice time by attending services, reading our Bibles, and praying. All great things. But our motive matters. If it is out of a religious compulsion to CYA with God, we’re dreadfully wrong.
Doing what is righteous and just is an every-moment-of-the-day thing. Now we can glorify God in attending services, reading our Bibles, and praying. But those are not the only times. God’s desire is for us to bring that joy into today by doing what is righteous and just in each moment of our day.
In a way, that is the point of Proverbs. Take what the Lord gives us and use it for His glory. That is why we seek wisdom rather than play the fool. All the Proverbs we highlighted over the past six months aim to live for God in what we say, do, and pursue.
We want a recipe or a formula, but what God gives us is a new life. Peace that surpasses understanding, Joy that is unshakable, and love that is unstoppable. It’s a new wisdom and a very old one. The world wants a formula; God gives us the wisdom of the seed that grows and multiplies after its own kind. By living for Christ, we are seed planters, waterers, and harvesters.
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.” (John 15:5, CSB) We don’t do things to keep God on our side. We do things because we’re connected to the vine of Christ. Everything from the sublime to the mundane can bring Christ glory when we are connected to the vine. Everything means everything at home, at work, at play, at market, and at church because we remain in Christ and do what is just and righteous.
- Proverbs – Better Than Sacrifice - June 29, 2026
- Romans Applied – The Internal War - June 24, 2026
- Proverbs – Passion - June 22, 2026
