PRICE CHECK

1 Chronicles 21:24 “But King David replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing."

During his reign, King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in trouble. Wars had been costly, and in trying to build the nation, he was seriously short of finances. He couldn’t disappoint his people, and to capitulate to the enemy was unthinkable. After careful reflection, he decided to ask the women of Prussia to bring their jewelry of gold and silver to be melted down for their country. For each ornament received, he determined to exchange a decoration of bronze or iron as a symbol of his gratitude. Each decoration would be inscribed, “I gave gold for iron, 1813.” The response was overwhelming. Even more important, these women prized their gifts from the king more highly than their former jewelry. The reason, of course, is clear. The decorations were proof that they had sacrificed for their king. Indeed, it became unfashionable to wear jewelry, and thus was established the Order of the Iron Cross. Members wore no ornaments except a cross of iron for all to see.

Our scripture provides a similar situation in the life of King David. The nation of Israel was facing the judgment of God due to the actions of David and the king intended to find a place to build an altar in order to sacrifice to God and petition for his mercy upon the people. Upon finding the desired location, he offered to purchase the place, but was offered it for free along with the oxen and wheat for sacrifice. David replied, “No. I will not sacrifice to God, that which costs me nothing.”

David understood the great difference between a gift and a sacrifice. It is often easy to give to God from any abundance we may have. Think about it. If we have a gathering and serve food, don’t you normally look to send the leftovers home with friends? Sure you do. The thought is, “Take it. We’ll just throw it out.” You don’t normally, however, open your refrigerator and start passing out fresh groceries to your guests on the way out. Because, those are things that you have purchased in order to feed your family for the coming days.

It was the same in the days of Cain and Abel. It is the same today. In Genesis, God honored Abel because he gave his best product. Cain was dishonored because he only offered that which he did not want. Today, God does not want our leftovers. What we give is a direct reflection of the condition of our heart. Since God does not need our substance, He is not interested in the amount or the condition of what we bring to Him. Our gift should reflect a sacrifice on our part.

Ask yourself, “Do the things that I offer God truly cost me something or am I just giving the things that I really don’t want or need? Hold on to the principle of that which costs me something will always mean more to me than that which I got for free. God is looking at our hearts today. He is not looking at the gift. He is looking at the spirit of the giver.

BIGGER THAN US

I Chronicles 17:16 “Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: Who am I, LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”

Our text is nestled in the middle of dialog between the King and the Prophet and between a worshipper and his God. As David walks throughout his palace, he thinks, “How did this all come to be about me? I live in a palace while the presence of the God of Israel dwells in a pasture.” My, how far David had come. It was a long way back to his early teens tending sheep in Jesse’s fields. The head and armor of the giant had been collecting dust for decades in Israel’s treasury. Long past were the days when David was captain over the 400 distressed, indebted and discontented at Adulliam. Faded were the memories of hatred toward him by a jealous king.

To the onlooker David had arrived. He had climbed the ladder one difficult rung at a time and now, he was on top. But King David had a deeply ingrained truth burned into the fabric of his being. He said in 2 Samuel “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust.”

His life success was due to a connection – a personal, intimate connection with God. I believe it was that connection with God that caused David to desire to honor God in a greater way than he ever had. To, in a way, put God on display. When you and I really get connected to the Kingdom of God and the cause of Christ, we’ll have a similar experience as David.

Living for Christ becomes so little about me, about my desires, about my liberties, about my spiritual “position”, and more about His position in me: King of my heart, Lord of my life, owner of my stuff, purpose of my ministry, reason for my existence.

David realized that his success wasn’t about his kingdom but about God’s. Not about what he had, but about what God had given him to use for the furtherance of God’s purpose. So David wanted to build a temple that would house the Ark of the Covenant, the presence of God. But, God said “No”. That was a privilege that was being reserved for Solomon. You see, David loved God and God was building a legacy for David.

Still, David had to wonder why God would not allow him to build this temple. But David’s sincere desire to honor God was really what God wanted. Sometimes, we may find ourselves wanting to do the right thing. We may find ourselves so hungry to do something specific for God. Maybe, you want to lead worship. Perhaps, you want to teach. Maybe, your hope is to be a pastor. No matter what your dreams may be, the important thing is that your heart is passionate for God. If so, there will always be a way to honor Him. It may not be exactly the way you thought it would be…but God’s perfect plan is for you and me to be connected to the Kingdom and therefore, connected to Christ.

Remember, God has brought us so far. He has so many great things for us. They are bigger than our hopes and dreams. They are bigger than our faults and failures. They are bigger than us.