We live in a society that loves quick and cheap solutions. The microwave and dollar menu mentality is all about getting what we want instantly and at the lowest cost possible. However, when it comes to serving the Lord, this mindset falls short. There is no microwave and there is no dollar menu in God’s service.
In 2 Samuel 24:24, we find a powerful example of this truth. David had sinned by taking a census of Israel, and to stop the resulting plague, he was instructed to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah offered to give David the land for free, but David refused, saying, “Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.”
David understood that true service to God requires a sacrifice. It costs something valuable. Let’s explore this principle in our lives today.
First, there is the daily cost of maintaining a relationship with God. This involves dedicating time and focus to reading the Bible and praying every day. These activities require discipline and a commitment to prioritize God above other distractions.
Next, there is the weekly cost of attending church. This involves not only the time spent in worship but also the practical expenses like gas money. It’s a commitment to gather with other believers and participate in corporate worship and fellowship.
Additionally, many of us dedicate time each week to visit people and share the gospel, often on Saturdays and Tuesdays. This is a sacrifice of our personal time to fulfill the Great Commission, demonstrating our commitment to spreading God’s Word.
Tithing is another significant aspect of serving the Lord. God commands us to give a portion of our income back to Him. This act of giving is a tangible expression of our trust and obedience to God’s provision.
Moreover, we are called to use our skills for God’s glory. Whether it’s singing, administration, teaching, exhorting, giving, or any other talent, we are to use our abilities in service to God. This often means sacrificing personal ambitions or leisure to serve others.
We see the ultimate examples of sacrifice in pastors and missionaries who dedicate their entire lives to serving God. Their lives are a testament to the high cost of faithful service.
Serving God is far from free. Jesus said in Matthew 16:25, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” This truth reminds us that true life is found in giving ourselves fully to God, no matter the cost.
Let us embrace the cost of serving the Lord with joy and dedication, knowing that our sacrifices are a precious offering to Him. True service to God demands our best—our time, our treasures, and our talents. As David showed us, let us offer to the Lord that which costs us something, for it is in these sacrifices that we honor and glorify Him.
