Worship Without Cost

Shelby G. Floyd

King David once said, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Sam. 24:24). He then bought the threshing floor of Araunah at a price and made his offering unto the Lord:

“So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. David built an altar to the LORD there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings” (2 Sam. 24:24-25).

It is thought that this became the very place where the Temple of God was built. Therefore this place of worship became a place where the people praised God and offered up prayers.

David is a good example of offering up to God our very best, whatever it, may be. One time David asked for a drink of water from the well in Bethlehem. When his three mighty men risked their lives and brought it to him, he would not drink it, but poured it out as a sacrifice to the Lord:

David longed for water and said, "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!" So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD. "Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this!" he said. "Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?" And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men (2 Sam. 23:15-17 NIV).

If David offered up sacrifices to the Lord that cost him money and cost his army the risk of their blood, then we too who live under the better arrangement of the new covenant, should offer up sacrifices that cost us something in time, money and commitment:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God,to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (Romans 12:1 ESV).