Giving God Something that Costs

rob

by Rob Campbell

The final chapters of II Samuel allow you and me to sneak an inside peak at King David. At this time in the course of history, David is suffering from two problems. First, he is making decisions exempting God from the process. Second, he lacks accountability. David enlists his chief commander of the troops, Joab, to take a census of the troops. David was never instructed by God to count the troops, but persisted anyway. Joab pleads with David to allow God to multiply his troops, but this counsel lands on David’s deaf ears.

Because of David’s disobedience to God, he is given three choices by God. David is asked to pick one of the following three choices: three years of famine in the land, three months of fleeing from the enemy, or three days of plague in the land. David’s response is classic and wise. He states, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.”

A WISE CHOICE BY DAVID! If one is in need of grace and mercy, then fall into the hands of God.

David is instructed to build an altar to the Lord which leads him to the threshing floor owned by a man named Araunah. Araunah offers David his threshing floor for free. Araunah also offers David oxen, threshing sledges, and ox yokes. Araunah is basically saying to David, “You’re the King and I am your servant. Take whatever you need to build an altar to God. Consider all of these resources for sacrifice to be free.”

David replies, “NO, I INSIST ON PAYING YOU FOR IT. I WILL NOT SACRIFICE TO THE LORD MY GOD BURNT OFFERINGS THAT COST ME NOTHING.” Wow!! David here is taking personal responsibility for his sinful actions. Further, he is saying, “I am going to give God something that costs.”

Here is how we can learn to give to God something that costs:

 Giving God something that costs begins with WORSHIP (II Sam. 24:18). Worship is a constant preoccupation with God.

 Giving God something that costs grows when we REFUSE to worship ON THE CHEAP (II Sam. 24:20a-24). Notice David’s personal response to Araunah’s offer (“I will not….”).

 Giving God something that costs results in an offering which PLEASES God (I Chron. 21:25-28). “David called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.” INCREDIBLE!

Comments?

Rob

4 thoughts on “Giving God Something that Costs

  • May I start a draft to extend your definition to include your wonderful points?

    “Worship is a constant preoccupation with God that results in costly obedience and offering Him things we value”

  • Excellent article. I kicking off a men’s series for our Might Men’s Group (first meeting today) on this very subject.

    We were going to look at the fact that if you look at all the great men of faith and even in the world those who accomplished great feats paid a price!

    Thank you for such blessed words of encouragement in my journey to raise up men of valor for the Lord!

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