“And the king [David] said unto Araunah, 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.” (2 Sam. 24:24)
David reminds us of the high cost involved in a life devoted to God. David had been offered a cheap and easy way to show his love and devotion to God, but he would have none of it. He knew that the value of true love is shown by the price you are willing to pay for it. Therefore, he said he wasn’t interested in a love and devotion to God which cost him nothing.
1. The CLAIM That Love MAKES.
David speaks about “the LORD my God…” There is something possessive and personal about love. Even in human relationships, we are possessive and personal. A mother says, “This is MY child.” A child says, “This is MY toy.” A husband speaks of his wife as “MY wife.” David isn’t just speaking about “a” God; he says this is “my” God.
2. The CONSTRAINT That Love KNOWS.
A mother’s love for her child will cause her to give of herself for that child without a moment’s hesitation. That mother’s life is given to meeting the needs of that young child all because of her love. Likewise, David is not thinking about what he can GET from God, but what he can GIVE to God because he loves Him. How many, today, only go to church for what get out of it, instead what they can give to it? A true love for God is a love that willing gives.
3. The COST That Love DEMANDS.
It was the cheapness of the offer that repulsed David. True love is not only willing to pay a price, but love insists that there should be a price to pay! David said, “I will surely buy it of thee at a price.” A heart of true love and devotion to God will cost you something. It may cost you a little extra sleep on Sunday mornings in order to be in Sunday School. I can guarantee you one thing…when you truly love someone, you don’t mind the cost! When you are in love, you don’t consider it a sacrifice. And considering that Jesus sacrificed His life for us, anything we sacrifice for God is only reasonable.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1)
4. The CHOICE That Love EXERCISES.
It was David who spoke up, first. He could have had it easy and worshipped God at no cost to him, but it was his CHOICE not to do so. He knew that cheap worship isn’t true worship. David had a choice to make, and so do you and I. Will we settle for a cheap, easy, no-sacrifice type of worship, or will we (like David) say, “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.” What does your worship cost you?