True devotion to God is not measured merely by ritual acts, but first and foremost by moral and ethical behavior. A recurring message throughout biblical history is that honesty and proper conduct are far more beloved to God than the offering of animal sacrifices. Acts of charity represent the commandments between a person and God, while justice represents the duties between a person and their fellow human beings. Together, these actions are desired by God much more than bringing an offering [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].
The primary approach among commentators highlights a fundamental difference between a goal and a means. People often mistakenly believe that sacrifices are a desired end in themselves. In reality, they are merely a symbolic tool meant to awaken a sense of submission and devotion. Practicing justice and charity, however, brings a person to self-perfection and is the true purpose for which the commandments were given. Someone who offers many sacrifices, thinking this alone fulfills God's will, is taking a long and indirect path. The most direct route is the practice of justice and charity, as the external action is secondary to the intention of the heart [רלב״ג, מלבי״ם].
This perspective is strengthened by the understanding that sacrifices were not God's original intention. Historically, they were introduced to distance the people from false beliefs and idol worship, and to provide a method of atonement for those who failed. Naturally, God prefers someone who acts justly, follows the path of the Torah, and avoids sin entirely, rather than someone who sins and is forced to bring an offering to atone for their mistakes [רלב״ג, עמנואל הרומי].
Charity and justice also possess distinct spiritual advantages over sacrifices. While the practice of bringing offerings ceased with the destruction of the Temple, justice and charity can be practiced at all times and under any circumstances. Furthermore, their power is so great that they can atone even for intentional sins, whereas sacrifices generally only atone for accidental wrongs. On a deeper level, engaging in these moral acts unifies the upper spiritual realms. When performed with a pure intention to bring pleasure to the Creator, their spiritual value is multiplied [חומת אנך].
Beyond the moral and spiritual benefits, God's preference for ethical behavior serves as proof of human free will. The very fact that God chooses and prefers a person's acts of charity demonstrates that good deeds are not predetermined by Heaven. Instead, they are the result of a person's complete and independent choice to follow the path of good [אלשיך].