COST or CONVENIENCE?

In our modern world we often lose the true meaning of the
idea of sacrifice. To sacrifice something means to give it
up, or to lose the use of it. Some folks think they have
sacrificed something when all they really have done is to exchanged one
thing, for something of a lesser value. The greatest sacrifice to them is
having to drive a BMW instead of a Mercedes!

David truly understood the idea of sacrifice. The story is
told in 2 Samuel 24, of how David desired to build an altar
unto God to be forgiven of his sin of numbering the people. He had been told
to rear up an altar on the threshing floor of one Araunah. When Araunah found
out, he desired to let David the King have it freely, "... Let my lord the
king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him ... and all these things
did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king."  (2 Samuel 24:22,23). But David
understood that true sacrifice means there is a cost involved. "... 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)

David would not offer something unto God unless it cost him, unless it was a
true sacrifice. To receive it freely from Araunah and then give it unto God
would be no great loss to David. It had to cost him, so he purchased it all
and then
offered it unto God.

It cost God something to purchase our salvation: His Son, Jesus Christ, upon
the cross of Calvary. We should be awed and humbled by His expression of Love
and Sacrifice and learn from it. Sacrifice costs something, but with respect
to our relationship with God, we still are the ones who gain by it!   [JW]