SATURDAY November 6, 2021

Sacrificial Giving

“...I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing”
2 Samuel 24:24

God’s judgment had fallen on Israel as a direct result of David’s sin in numbering the people. David acknowledged his sin and had asked to fall into the hand of the LORD, rather than the hand of man, as God’s mercies were great (2 Samuel 24:14). The prophet Gad told David to give a sacrifice to God. He was to erect an altar on the threshing floor belonging to Araunah the Jebusite to stop the plague.

When King David arrived, Araunah freely offered David oxen, implements and wood for the sacrifice. What did David say in response to Araunah’s generous offer? He said: “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). David’s statement is something each of us needs to take to heart. Our giving to the Lord should be sacrificial.

One day, as Jesus watched people drop money into the temple treasury, He saw the rich men place their money in the offering, but He knew the money was given out of their abundance. It cost them nothing––it was not sacrificial giving. All of a sudden, a poor widow came and dropped into the offering box two mites. At this point, Jesus spoke up and said to those around Him:

“Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had” (Luke 21:2-4).

Imagine, the poor widow had given all she had! What Jesus Christ observed was the sincere attitude of a giving heart. What about us? Do we have the same kind of heart as David, a wealthy king, or this poor humble widow? Whether rich or poor, sacrificial giving comes from the right attitude of heart.

He, who gives what he would as readily throw away, gives without generosity; for the essence of generosity is in self-sacrifice.
~Jeremy Taylor~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!