During the three holy day seasons of the year, we are instructed not to appear before God in vain or with futility. Every valuable thing we have to offer originates from Him, as He distributes according to His will. God is not after our pocketbooks but seeks our hearts, our character, our attention, and our regard for Him and His creation. Three times each year, He asks us to come before Him to assess what His Word is accomplishing in us and how His creation is prospering. Anciently, sacrifices and offerings supported the priests and Levites, maintained the Tabernacle and Temple, and reminded the people of God's providence and blessing in their lives, a principle that applies to us today. Freewill offerings, while significant, are also symbolic of something greater. When God commands us not to come before Him empty, He urges us to show the spiritual fruit—the fruit of the Spirit—that He has been cultivating in us. He desires to see the character developing, the faith, hope, and love we receive from Him, and the manifestation of what His Word is accomplishing in our lives. Just as the Israelites could not waste time during the growing season and expect a harvest to offer on the holy days, we risk appearing before God in vain during the festivals if we have not been working with Him to cultivate spiritual fruit. Producing the spiritual qualities God values requires ongoing submission to Him and takes time. Obeying the command not to come before Him empty or without effect demands constant awareness of His Word, keeping His creation foremost in our minds, and submitting to His will with a pure heart at every step.