Service Demands Sacrifice

In 2 Samuel we see David has sinned against God by conducting a census of all the tribes of Israel. The nation hated census' as they meant the meddling in their private affairs, and usually signified a prelude to taxation or forced military service. Because of his disobedience, God sent a plague for 3 days on the land. David was willing to suffer by taking personal responsibility for the plagues, and was doing what the prophet, Gad, was asking him to do... build an alter of sacrifice on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

While Araunah was willing to GIVE him what he needed, David insisted on paying for it. I believe that David understood that anything less than exhaustive effort into sincere sacrifice was dishonorable to God. 
 
We have no real knowledge of Christianity when our primary concern is to make it cheap and easy for ourselves.... when serving God and doing good to others pleases us best only when it costs the least amount of pain and money.

David was a sinner, but he was also described as a "man after God's own heart."  He was a sinner, yes, but he never refused to take full ownership of the sin and always demanded his best for his God.

Real sacrifice costs us something. Divine devotion comes with a sacrificial price tag.

And one look around this world demonstrates the lack of the sacrifices we are unwilling to make.  The general unwillingness to sacrifice anything for fear of losing ANY amount of self-comfort is astonishing to me.  And it breaks my heart.  Real love... Christian love... a love spoken not just by words, but by life... is a love that's primary attribute is sacrifice.  We cannot fully yield to a loving and grace-giving God without it.

While many... MANY (even in our Christian circles) are satisfied to serve God in the cheapest manner possible, we ought to be committed to serving Him sacrificially.

One question we should ask ourselves daily is this, "Is my spiritual life costing me anything?" 

Is your spiritual life costing you anything?  Christianity that costs us nothing is:

• Unreal.  Authentic Christ-following begins and is maintained at the cost of much thought, commitment, and prayer.  When it genuinely exists, it stirs the heart to zeal and passion and generosity is naturally poured out as a result.  Love of God and sincere devotion to Him is instinctively evidenced in works and gifts.
• Unacceptable to God.  God detests unwillingness, lukewarmness, and anything that is contrary to His will.
• Un-fruitfulness.  Vain gift-giving and non-sacrificial offerings do not elevate and improve the worshipper.

Deuteronomy 16:16 says, "...all men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he chooses, but they must not appear before the Lord without a gift for Him."

Our service to God is evidenced in the way in which we sacrifice! 
 
Service demands sacrifice.