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Thanks and Sacrifice

Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me (Psalm 50:14-15) 

            This passage reminds me of an event in David's life. He approached one of his citizens and offered to buy the property and supplies needed to sacrifice a burnt offering to God. Being a typical Middle Eastern resident of that time, the man offered to give him the land, the oxen and the wood, but David told him that he would not offer to God a sacrifice that cost him nothing. It could hardly be called his sacrifice if he didn't sacrifice in order to make the sacrifice. 
            How often do we give thanks to God that doesn't cost us more than the breath to say it or the thoughts to think it? Have you ever thought of doing something charitable as a way of giving thanks? I know some people donate blood because someone in their family once needed it and donating is their means of expressing their gratitude that it was available. This is something I need to think about some more. I try to do little things when I can to be of service to my community, but I don't think I've ever thought of them as a means of giving thanks to God.

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