Here is a devotional by Jade Thorpe entitled “It Has To Cost Me Something.”
The Word: “Then David said to Ornan, ‘Give me the site of this threshing floor, that I may build on it an altar to the LORD; for the full price you shall give it to me, that the plague may be restrained from the people.’ Ornan said to David, ‘Take it for yourself; and let my lord the king do what is good in his sight. See, I will give the oxen for burnt offerings and the threshing sledges for wood and the wheat for the grain offering; I will give it all.’ But King David said to Ornan, ‘No, but I will surely buy it for the full price; for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, or offer a burnt offering which cost me nothing.”
1 Chronicles 22:22-24 (NASB)
The Story: Giving is normally a joy for me. So, I’m cheerful when I give financially from the tithe or give time by participating in outreach or serving in ministry. But there are times, I “push back” when God is asking me to give more. God has always faithfully taken care of my needs. So, why the push back? For me, it’s easy to give when there is abundance. But when I have less time or less money, it’s harder to be cheerful and giving can become a sacrifice.The Reflection: Have you ever struggled to give? We shouldn’t pat ourselves on the back for simply giving out of our abundance because we are just giving back to God what he initially gave us. Are you willing to go beyond the place of comfort? David tells us that sacrifices must cost us something. So, are you sacrificing something for the Lord?
The Application: This week find at least one thing to sacrifice to God. It can be time, money, or effort as long as it has a cost to you. Give something to God that has value to you and makes you feel uncomfortable when you give it!
The Prayer: Father, we pray that you give us the faith to trust in you for all of our needs and remind us that true sacrifice comes at a cost. You paid the highest cost when you sacrificed your Son on the cross. Help us as we make sacrifices this week for you. Amen.
