The king answered Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it from you for a price, for I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for 20 ounces of silver.
Can one truly sacrifice something that has cost him nothing? I think not. This must be David’s point. He had been directed by God to offer sacrifice in order to stop the ongoing, devastating plague. He knew that any sacrifice involved personal cost. He had every opportunity to make this offering at no expense of his own and, yet, he refused. You simply cannot offer in sacrifice that which you do not own.
In a wealthy culture and existence like ours, please help me, Father, to remember this principle. Certainly this did not break David. It might not have cost enough for him to even notice; however, the principle still stands. Our offerings of sacrifice to God must carry a personal cost. Anything I have can be used on myself if I wish; yet, I feel privileged to be able to sacrifice on behalf of others some of the wealth God has given me. It is a gift from God to be able to give gifts to others. It’s all His anyway.
Make me even more generous with the blessings you have showered upon me Father God. Please keep the claws of increasing personal wealth away from me. I know that all I have is not my own. It’s all Yours. I will gladly share it.
Personal Offerings – 2 Samuel 24:24
Ventanas 