God's Gift - Our Gifts

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
II Samuel 23:24-24:25

"Then the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; not will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver." II Samuel 24:24 (NKJV)

Forgiveness is absolutely FREE. It is God's gift of grace to us. We can do no work to earn it. We can only receive it by faith. Yet, David has here unlocked a great truth that is often misunderstood. That which we receive FROM the Lord will cost us nothing. But, that which we offer TO the Lord will cost us dearly.

This is the nature of discipleship. Jesus calls us not only to BELIEVE in Him, but also to FOLLOW Him. Faith demands only that we say "Yes" to Jesus. Discipleship calls us to lay down our lives.

When David came to the place of worship and commitment, he WANTED to give his best. He wanted to make a sacrificial gift to the Lord. This was not so that he could buy God's blessing, but rather because he wanted to focus totally on the goodness and grandeur of God - not the gratification of his own self-interests.

The glory of God is priceless. It surpasses the cost of our most extravagant gifts. HE IS WORTHY!!