Seeds of Wisdom

1 Chronicles 21:24 – “Then King David said to Ornan, ‘No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.”

In the scripture above, King David said he would not give to God anything that costs him nothing; what a heart of sacrifice! Giving to God without sacrifice is not giving at all. Following God requires the readiness to sacrifice your time, talents, gifts, money, etc. as well as certain pleasures for the promotion of the kingdom. It is about going the extra mile such as engaging in soul winning, prayer and fasting, giving to the projects of the church, and finding ways to make the house of God welcoming for others. You can also pray for the underprivileged and those in captivity to receive liberty, in addition to supporting them with your substance.

The ultimate sacrifice is loving God and loving others just as God has demonstrated His love to us by giving His only son to reconcile us back to Him. We are to demonstrate the same love to one another by bearing the burdens of others. The place of true sacrifice is also a place of total obedience to God - doing what He says sacrificially and in a manner that befits and glorifies Him. Any service that is provided conveniently is not a sacrifice. True sacrifice is going beyond what you used to do for the sake of advancing the kingdom of God. As you do this, your reward will be great. As you build the kingdom of God, He will raise help to build your life and project. What you make happen to God, He will make happen to you.

Further Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:8-15, Genesis 22:1-12

Prayer:  Pray that God will grant you the grace to sacrifice for Him.