In my reading a few days ago, I read this verse, (2 Samuel 24:24) “And the king 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. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.”
Is not the opposite of David’s attitude true in so many of us today? We do not want our service to God to cost us anything. If we were in David’s position, I wonder how many of us would say, “Boy, did the Lord bless, I did not have to pay anything for the oxen for the sacrifice, I did not have to pay for the instruments, or the threshing floor! God is so good!” We do not want our service to cost us anything! We want the path of least resistance. Many today find it to much to attend church faithfully, and yet that is nothing more than a baby step. We want to be counted as servants of God, but not at any cost, or very little cost. After all, we need to be culturally relevant.
Too often when the Lord begins to change our life, we put the brakes on. We decide this is costing us too much. We fail to see how much it cost God to purchase us! How selfish we are today. If you do not want your service to cost you anything, there are many churches out there where you will fit right in. They cater to every need you have. They are “seeker friendly.” For them is not about God, it is about you. However, as I study the churches of the New Testament, I have failed to find a “seeker friendly” church. I see churches which heeded the teaching of Jesus concerning the high cost of discipleship, (Matthew 16:24, Luke 14:26, 27). A life where Christ is preeminent and not you! (Phil 3:1-8) Oh, how we need to get over ourselves and focus on God. Life is not about us it is about God!
(This is a double post on the blog. I am making changes and testing formats.)
5 comments:
Hey Brother Terry,
My name is Johnny Leslie missionary in Croatia. I found your blog by way of the Baptist muse. Just wanted to say I agree with you whole heartily. Today people are more concerned about what they can get out of the Lord instead of what they can give the Lord. Look forward to reading about Papua New Guinea, and your ministry there!
God Bless,
Bro. Johnny
Johnny,
I am glad you stopped by my blog. I hope the ministry is going well for you in Croatia.
Brother McGovern,
I couldn't agree enough!!!
One thing that I might say as a personal experience is that the more one gives/sacrifices the less it really seems to be a sacrifice-- thus the more giving it takes to even seem a sacrifice. (I hope that makes sense)
As we are on deputation many times people have "marveled" at our willingness to "sacrifice all" but it really is no sacrifice to us.
We love it and can't wait to return. Generally the sacrifice is in the surrender or obedience not so much the actual task. Once a person’s mind or will is changed (the sacrifice) the task however hard can be a true JOY.
Lord Bless you Brother and know that we are praying for you all!!
Tell your family we say HI
Hey Bro Lemon,
Good to hear from you. I hope you and the family are doing good. Thanks for your prayers!
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