But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. (ESV)

Have you ever given something to someone because it had no value to you? Or have you ever received something that you knew someone viewed as worthless? As much as I don’t want to admit it, I have been on both sides of this. But we feel valued when we receive something that took a significant sacrifice because of the heart posture behind the willingness to give something up.

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Although David, like the rest of us, made mistakes during his life, he lived a life in pursuit of honoring God and following his callings. That included whatever sacrifices or costs it took to do so: waiting in the fields as a shepherd, standing up to Goliath, being chased by Saul, and so on. In today’s verse, we see yet another example of this heart posture of service. Araunah has offered to provide the necessities for a burnt offering at no cost to David, yet it is a significant sacrifice for himself. David insists on paying Araunah because he refuses to bring an offering to God that has cost him nothing. You see, David recognized that a sacrifice that cost nothing was worth nothing.

So, what might a costly sacrifice look like today? We might go to great lengths for something that serves us, but what about true sacrifice out of love? We emphasize community and service a lot here at ACF to further God’s kingdom. Often this involves a cost, such as someone giving up their time, energy, or resources, or inviting others into their home. But you may have witnessed the ways that God has used these sacrifices (whether it be your own or someone else's) for part of his bigger plan.  

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There is no better example of this than what God did for us in Jesus’ sacrifice. Our holy God suffered through torture, ridicule, and agonizing death to redeem us. So that, instead of being separated from him, we can have a meaningful relationship. Although we never could have earned or deserved this high cost that he paid, we can show our gratitude. It will likely cost us something substantial to follow and honor God, but how great is it that we have the opportunity to show our Savior gratitude by sacrificing and walking in what he calls us to?  

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These callings may not be what we had in mind, but rest assured, we can trust the One who created us because he knows what is best for us. Romans 8:28 encourages us with this truth: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Imagine that! The Creator of the universe and everything good wants us to follow him in his good plans. He wants to work mightily in our lives for something so much bigger, greater, and more complex than we are capable of imagining. To be honest, it may be difficult at times to see how God is using your sacrifices, but we can trust that he is. James 1:17 reminds us that God is the author of everything good. So even when it means sacrifice, we can recognize that when he is working, it will be for good.

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Have you considered what it costs to honor God in your life? What would you be willing to give up to step into his calling for you? When we make costly sacrifices for the Lord, we trust his goodness, plans, provision, love, and promises. I encourage you to faithfully lean into whatever God is calling you into today, even if the cost is great.  

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me so much and valuing us so deeply that you paid the ultimate price of Jesus on the cross. Please reveal to me today how I can show my gratitude and honor you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I have the awareness and strength to make the sacrifices necessary to follow your callings in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.