1 Chronicles 21:24
But King David replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.’
Firstly, observe that David refused to offer to the Lord an offering which Ornan (Araunah) volunteered to provide free of charge. David understood the personal nature of his obligation to God. Although Ornan meant well, his kindness was not supposed to rob David of his responsibility to obey the Lord’s instruction.
Beloved, you and I must also accept our personal responsibility before God. We must not kid ourselves that other people are “covering” for us. Nobody can substitute your personal contribution in the kingdom of God. Each of us is accountable before the Lord in our own right (Rom 14:12). Accept your personal responsibility in the Lord’s vineyard before He returns.
Secondly, observe that David refused to offer to God that which cost him nothing. He understood that it would not be a sacrifice if it did not make a difference to his resources.
By definition, a sacrifice is the act of offering to God something precious to you. It’s the act of giving up something you value in order to get something else. In our context, that means if your giving does not make a difference in your life, it’s not sacrificial. If all your giving is within your comfort zone, it’s not sacrificial and it will not produce the desired result.
Let us rise up and make a difference in the work of God, beloved. Let us give to the Lord until it hurts. Let us serve God sacrificially. Let us abandon our comfort zones for the glory of God. Let us do for God what we have never done before. He will do for us what we have never received before!
Pastor Josh