Skip to main content

I will not...sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.


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.” (I Chronicles 21:24)
 

         Many years ago as I was going through one of my cycles  of learning about health and diet, I was at a church function at which cookies were served. It was being a battle. I didn't want to sacrifice eating those yummy cookies.  The thought came to mind that I could sacrifice them with an attitude of sacrifice ("Oh, woe is me, I want those cookies but I can't have them. My heart is breaking!") or, I could sacrifice them with  a positive attitude ("God, I'm giving You those yummy-looking cookies. Use them to bless someone else, and bless me in making the sacrifice.") For  something to be a sacrifice, keeping it to your own enjoyment has to be a desirable thing. Had they been serving Brussels sprouts,  lima beans, or even Jell-O or coconut cream pie, it would have been no sacrifice at all to not eat them. The sacrifice would have been to eat them.
        I have also heard of celebrities calling press conferences to announce giving what seems like great sums to a charity. There was a group of singers who got together to since one song for charity. I remember a TV program in which a company provided a thousands of dollars of stuff to help make over a home. I am cynical about these "sacrifices." How much of a sacrifice is the amount given in comparison with that person's wealth? Are they effectively handing over "chump change?" Did the donation of an hour or two to sing cost them anything, really? How much would it have cost the company to buy 1 ad for the show in question? Instead of an ad, they bought the whole show at a fraction of the cost, and all three gained the PR benefits involved. Is there a real sacrifice involved?
         Since we live under the New Covenant, why bother to think about sacrifice? It is because at some point in your day; probably at more than one point in your day; you are going to be called upon to make a sacrifice. It might be small. It might be large. The choice will be yours. You can make a real sacrifice, one that costs you something, or you can pretend. You can whine about it, or you can decide to make it a blessing.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more