David sought to honor God by giving a sacrifice in hopes of stopping a plague that had been sent among the people of Israel. When the owner of the field saw the king coming, he bowed to the ground and offered the land for the king to use to build an altar and oxen to sacrifice.
Araunah owned the field, and he was more than willing to freely provide David everything he needed to sacrifice to God. But David would not give a sacrifice to God that cost him nothing.
King David said, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing" (2 Samuel 24:24).
How often do we give something as an act of ministry or a sacrifice to God that doesn't cost us much if anything at all? True sacrifice is marked by sincere love, and eventually, true love carries with it a cost. The one who pays it does so willingly because true love does not count the cost.
Oh Father, help me to release the areas of my life that I have held back. May I never proudly offer to you things that cost me nothing. Instead, may I sacrifice to you the things in life that I hold dear. And in letting all things go may I find deep communion with you. And may I come to the realization that you are more than enough. May I be satisfied in your affirming love. May I live for your glory and purposes. Be glorified in me. Amen!
