Nicole Chiniaeff
22 Araunah said to David, "Let my lord the king take whatever pleases him and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. 23 O king, Araunah gives all this to the king." Araunah also said to him, "May the LORD your God accept you." 24 But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."
If we give on to Lord only that which costs us nothing, is it truly an offering that honors God? Being a disciple of Jesus is not only about salvation, it is about being in relationship with Him. Giving of our time to grow closer and know more about Him, giving of our talents to minister to others, giving of our resources to bless and further the Kingdom of God, Giving of our hearts and will in surrender to His, giving of our anger and unforgivness in obedience, giving of our pride for humility, even giving of our sins in repentance- all things worthy will cost us something.
The wonderful truth we have in Christ is that He sees our sacrifices and honors them. We have the hope in Him to bless our hearts and lives. Luke 6:38… For the measure you use will be the measure you receive. This truth applies to all aspects of our walk; spiritual gifts/blessings, as well as earthly. If I desire to grow and know more of God, the same measure of time that I set aside and give to God.. that much more will He pour back into my life. God promises to transform my life, and to make me a new creation but it requires me to let go of the weight that is holding me back, and trust in His faithfulness. Yes, sometimes my habits and comfort in my "identity" ( be it sin, pain, pride, etc.) feels too "costly" to give up, but I can testify to the truth in my life -that I traded death and bondage for life and peace each time I have given them up to God.
"Where there is true, strong love to Jesus, it will cost us something. Love is the costliest of all undertakings . . . But what shall we mind if we gain Christ? You cannot give up for Him without regaining everything you have renounced, but purified and transfigured." (Meyer)