When King David sinned by taking an unauthorized census of the people, the
prophet Gad brought word from God that a punishment was imminent. Three
days of horrible pestilence came upon the nation. To stop the plague
David was instructed to make an altar and to offer a sacrifice at the
threshingfloor of a man named Araunah.
As David approached the site, Araunah met him and asked why he came. When David explained the purpose of his visit, Araunah offered to give him everything needed to accomplish the sacrifice. David’s famous response was: “Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).
This incident raises a serious question for us all: Does our service to God cost anything? As an example, consider the use of our time. Our schedules are usually quite full with the things we need to do and with other things we want to do. When our work and chores are finished, there’s an array of recreational activities to pursue. Often it’s hard to squeeze everything into a 7 day week with short, 24 hour days. Something has to ‘give’. For too many, and too often, it is our time for God. If camping, or golf, or sporting events, etc., conflict with scheduled worship times, many folks will compromise. Oh, yes, they are at worship if nothing else happens to clash in their schedules. But if something else comes up, they yield. In effect, they are saying ‘we will worship God, but not if we have to give up something to do it.’ Do you see it? Their worship really costs them nothing.
Applications of this principle can be multiplied, but you should be easily able to see the point King David was making. He knew real sacrifice to God required an associated ‘cost’ of service. Does your service to God cost anything? Think!
As David approached the site, Araunah met him and asked why he came. When David explained the purpose of his visit, Araunah offered to give him everything needed to accomplish the sacrifice. David’s famous response was: “Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).
This incident raises a serious question for us all: Does our service to God cost anything? As an example, consider the use of our time. Our schedules are usually quite full with the things we need to do and with other things we want to do. When our work and chores are finished, there’s an array of recreational activities to pursue. Often it’s hard to squeeze everything into a 7 day week with short, 24 hour days. Something has to ‘give’. For too many, and too often, it is our time for God. If camping, or golf, or sporting events, etc., conflict with scheduled worship times, many folks will compromise. Oh, yes, they are at worship if nothing else happens to clash in their schedules. But if something else comes up, they yield. In effect, they are saying ‘we will worship God, but not if we have to give up something to do it.’ Do you see it? Their worship really costs them nothing.
Applications of this principle can be multiplied, but you should be easily able to see the point King David was making. He knew real sacrifice to God required an associated ‘cost’ of service. Does your service to God cost anything? Think!
- by Greg Gwin
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