How important are relationships with other people? I was reading in the Bible Mat. 5:23-25. Something I have read many times before, but this time something new!
It says that if you come with a gift to God and you know there is someone that is mad at you, then you should leave your gift and go to that person and make it right. So for God your relationships with others is more important than any gift you might have for Him. That includes being a pastor or missionary. If my relationship with my wife is bad, then God does not care about all the "great" things I think I am doing for Him.

Isaiah talks about what true fasting is in Gods eyes. It's "loose the chains of injustice...set the oppressed free....share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter... clothe the naked".
It's all about me helping others not doing some religious thing that "looks good" like fasting.