Worthy Sacrifice Unto God

Focus: 2 Samuel 24:24 - KJV

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.

Malachi 1:6-14

Our God is sacred and greatest of all beings. He deserves the best at all times being the source of all things, including that which we offer Him. Unfortunately, man is so bad in character that, even though all he has he got from the Lord, yet, it is difficult for him to offer something befitting unto God. But, if a people refuse to honor God with worthy sacrifice, the Lord will turn to other people to do the needful, not because He is in need, but because He is the one to be adored. Incidentally, although people speak ill of Pastors and ministers for demanding quality offerings and sacrifices from them for the Lord, it is first the priest that the Lord blames for the offering brought before Him when they are poor. It is therefore the duty of the priest to ensure that only quality sacrifices are given to the Lord.

The New Testament acknowledges that David was a man after God’s heart. Unlike Ahab who wanted to take over Naboth’s vineyard for his own pleasure as king, David had a need to raise an altar of sacrifice unto the Lord and approached the owner. Unlike Naboth, Araunah was willing to let go of his threshing floor for the king’s use for free, but David refused to rake it off him for free. He insisted on Araunah naming his price as the sacrifice he (David) would give to God must cost him something. We therefore see that God is not partial in having David as the man after His heart and not Ahab or any other who does not countenance the value of sacrifice unto God.

The Lord is one that appreciates worthy offerings as sacrifice from His people. Since He is our father, He desires and loves it when we honor Him. When we do not, it becomes painful that we are ungrateful to Him despite all He does for us. When Noah offered sacrifice after the flood, it was not meant to stop the flood or prevent the rains. But he was full of gratitude to God for his preservation. In turn he got a special blessing. No wonder we are asked to give thanks always as it is the will of God concerning us. When we give unworthy offering, we insult God and make His grace to us worthless. Those who are thoughtful are always thankful. God is saying today that we should always offer to Him sacrifice as if we see Him present in our homes as our guest. One wonders if anyone can see the Most High and not throw a real banquet. Why then give Him pittance as offering when appearing before Him?

Please pray:

Father, I thank you for all that you have given me, for there is nothing that I have that I did not get from you. Please forgive me for not honoring you enough with the substance you gave me. From now on, please instill in my heart the fortitude to give bountifully and sacrificially from time to time to give worthy sacrifice that costs me well enough, in Jesus’ name. Like the sacrifices of Hezekiah spoke for him, please let my sacrifices work for me positively in the days of trouble, in Jesus’ name. You are the one that gives seed to the Sower and bread to the eater: please supply me sufficiently that I may be able to sow qualitatively from now on, in Jesus’ name.

Please share with others. God bless you.