“Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24) .acrifice
Introduction
In 2 Samuel 24, King David had sinned by numbering (counting) Israel and Judah, an act that displeased God because it reflected reliance on human strength rather than trust in God.
God sends the prophet Gad with three possible judgments:
- Three years of famine,
- Three months fleeing from enemies,
- Three days of plague.
David chooses to fall into God’s hands, trusting in His mercy. David is spared but God strikes the nation by kill 70,000 people. God instructed him to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah. Threshing floors remove chaff from wheat. Likewise, sacrifice often removes: pride, self-reliance, fear and carnality
Araunah offered to give David everything for free—the land, the oxen, and the wood. But David refused. He said: “Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” David understood a powerful truth: A sacrifice is not a sacrifice if it costs nothing. David understood that sacrifices that move heaven are often the sacrifices that cost us something on earth.
At the center of David’s statement is love. David was essentially saying: “God has been too good to me for me to give Him something that costs me nothing.” God sees every costly act of obedience. David teaches us that true worship is not measured by convenience but by sacrifice.
Your Sacrifice Becomes an Altar
David’s sacrifice did more than demonstrate worship. It stopped national judgment. After the altar was built:
“The plague was stayed from Israel.” (2 Samuel 24:25). One person’s obedience affected an entire nation. David’s sacrifice became an altar. And that location later became one of the most significant places in Israel’s history. That location later became associated with the site where the temple was built under Solomon. What began as one costly sacrifice became a blessing for future generations. A sacrifice today can become a blessing tomorrow.
In real life a parent who faithfully prays for years may stop a generational crisis while a believer who obeys God may alter the future of an entire family. So always remember that some sacrifices carry consequences far beyond the person making them. The sacrifice of faithfulness becomes tomorrow’s promotion.
Sacrifice Creates Memorials in Heaven
Cornelius is a perfect example of the reward of a memorial sacrifice. According to Acts 10:4” an angel appeared to Cornelius and told him that, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.” This shows that Cornelius prayed and gave generously and heaven kept a record. Hence Your prayers, giving, worship, and service are not forgotten. They become memorials before God.
God Sometimes Requires What Is Precious.
David could have accepted Araunah’s gift. Instead, he insisted on paying. Why? Because true sacrifice involves something valuable. God often asks for things we treasure, a thing that will cost us something like: time, resources, comfort, ambitions, reputation and even our plans.
Brethren remember that not all sacrifices involve money or possessions. Some sacrifices involve tears. For instance: Hannah’s Sacrifice involved tears. The bible tells us that Hannah endured many years of barrenness and mockery. She cried before God and eventually even vowed to dedicate her child to the Lord. When God gave her Samuel, she fulfilled her vow. That sacrifice was painful. But God saw it.
According to Psalm 56:8 God has “collected all my tears in His bottle. He has recorded each one in His book.” This shows that God values our tears shed in faith. Not because He wants to harm us, but because He wants to be first. Remember what Matthew 22:37 teaches us to “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.”
After considering what God has already given: life, salvation, mercy, and forgiveness we can only “Present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” God. “According to Romans 12:1.
The Fragrance of Sacrifice
In according to Romans 12:1, acceptable sacrifices were often described as a sweet aroma before God. That is why in Ephesians 5:2 Christ’s sacrifice is called: “an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.” When believers serve God with sincere hearts, their sacrifices become spiritually pleasing to Him.
Sacrifice Demonstrates Trust.
Every sacrifice says: “God, I trust You more than what I am releasing.” You cannot truly sacrifice without trusting God. Sacrifice is a language God understands. Throughout Scripture, sacrifices communicated devotion. For instance:
Abraham trusted God with his son Isaac.
David trusted God with his resources.
The widow trusted God with her last coins. Faith and sacrifice are closely connected.
Abel: Abel brought his best. God respected his offering.
Noah For many years, Noah built the ark before seeing any rain. Imagine the ridicule. Imagine the questions. Yet Noah remained faithful. Sometimes the sacrifice is not dramatic. Sometimes it is simply refusing to quit. After the flood, Noah sacrificed and God responded with a blessing.
David sacrificed. The plague stopped.
Jesus sacrificed Himself. Humanity received redemption.
Sacrifice consistently speaks to God of faith, surrender, and love.
Abraham’s Sacrifice Was Seen by God
God is not primarily after money, time, or possessions. He is after our hearts. Therefore, a sacrifice exposes what we truly love. When God asked Abraham to offer Isaac, it was the greatest test of his life. He was testing Abraham’s heart, not trying to take away his son.
God wanted to know:
- Is Isaac first?
- Or is God first?
God stopped him and declared: “Now I know that thou fearest God.” (Genesis 22:12). Abraham’s sacrifice cost him emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Brethren always remember the hidden sacrifices are the ones that prepare you for public leadership. Luke 16:10 “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” The sacrifice of faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater assignments. God saw Abraham’s sacrifice and the result was:
- Covenant blessing
- Multiplication
- Generational favor
Every sacrifice noticed by God produces eternal results. Many people want God’s blessings but do not want God to be the first. A genuine sacrifice proves that God occupies the highest place in our lives. Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Sacrifice Separates Followers from Disciples.
According to John 6:66 “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” Many people followed Jesus when miracles were abundant. But when sacrifice became necessary, many left. Remember that crowds love blessings while true disciples embrace sacrifice. For instance: A tourist visits a country when conditions are favourable. A citizen remains committed regardless of circumstances. God is looking for disciples, not merely spectators.
God Sees the Sacrifice Others Ignore.
Many sacrifices happen in secret that is why Jesus taught: “Thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:4). For instance:
People may not see:
- The prayers you pray
- The tears you shed
- The giving you do and nobody thanks you
- The obedience you walk in
- You helped and nobody appreciated
- The fasting you endure
God Sees the Sacrifice of Fasting
Fasting is costly because it crucifies the flesh. Throughout Scripture:
- Moses fasted
- Elijah fasted
- Jesus fasted
Fasting says: “God, You are more important than my physical appetite.” Whenever believers deny themselves for God’s purposes, heaven notices.
God Sees the Sacrifice of Service
Many people serve God without applause.
- Ushers
- Intercessors
- Caregivers
- Volunteers
- Missionaries
The world may overlook and even forget quickly them. God does not according to Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love.” God remembers every act. God keeps perfect records (Malachi 3:16). No act of service is forgotten. But God sees all of it. For instance, a seed disappears underground before it becomes a harvest. To human eyes it looks lost. To God it is planted. Many believers think they are losing something when they sacrifice. God sees it as planting according to Galatians 6:9 “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap.”
God Sees Sacrificial Giving.
Jesus watched people give in the temple treasury. Many rich people gave large amounts. Then a poor widow came. She gave two small coins. Jesus said: “This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they.” (Mark 12:43). God does not measure gifts by amount. He measures them by sacrifice.
For instance: A millionaire giving $100 may not feel it. A poor widow giving her last meal feels every part of it. Heaven measures sacrifice differently than earth.
God Sees the Cost of Obedience.
Sometimes obedience is expensive. For instance, the widow of Zarephath had only enough food for one final meal. Yet she obeyed God’s instruction through Elijah. Her sacrifice occurred during lack, not abundance. The result was:
- Supernatural provision
- Sustained supply
- Divine preservation
Sometimes the greatest sacrifices occur when resources seem smallest.
Joseph: Joseph sacrificed comfort. Obedience cost him:
- His coat
- His freedom and comfort
- Years in prison
But God saw it and eventually gave him a throne.
Daniel: Obedience cost him:
- Political opposition
- The lions’ den
But God saw it.
Esther: Obedience could have cost her life. But God saw it. Every act of obedience that costs you something is recorded in heaven.
Elisha: Elisha left everything to follow Elijah.
God Sees the Sacrifice of Prayer.
Prayer is costly. It costs:
- Sleep
- Time
- Energy
- Convenience
Jesus often prayed through the night according to Luke 6:12 “He continued all night in prayer to God.”
Sometimes the Costliest Sacrifice Is Waiting.
According to Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.” Waiting on God can be painful. Many believers are willing to act. Fewer are willing to wait. For instance,A farmer plants seed and then waits. Digging up the seed every day will not make it grow faster. Likewise, faith often requires patient endurance. Waiting is often a hidden sacrifice that God sees.
God Rewards Sacrifice
God is not unjust. He rewards sacrificial faithfulness. Jesus said: “Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren… for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold.” (Matthew 19:29). God may not reward immediately. But He always rewards perfectly. Some rewards come:
- In this life
- Through future opportunities
- Through spiritual growth
- Through eternal rewards
God Gives Seed to Sowers
Always remember that according to 2 Corinthians 9:10 “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower…” God often replenishes those who willingly release what He has given them. The Bible teaches that generosity and faithfulness position believers for continued stewardship and blessing. God is able to supply what is needed for His purposes.
One Day God Will Reveal Every Hidden Sacrifice.
Many sacrifices receive little recognition on earth.But God’s final evaluation differs from humanity’s.
1 Corinthians 4:5 “Then shall every man have praise of God.” One day God will reveal:
- Secret prayers
- Hidden acts of kindness
- Quiet faithfulness
- Costly obedience
- Unseen generosity
Nothing done for God is wasted.
The Greatest Sacrifice Was Jesus
The ultimate example is Jesus Christ. The cross cost Him everything.
- His comfort
- His reputation
- His blood
- His life
Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Because Jesus sacrificed Himself, millions have received salvation. Whenever you sacrifice for God, you are following the pattern of Christ.
Conclusion
David refused a free altar because he understood that true worship involves sacrifice. When your sacrifice costs you:
- God sees the prayer.
- God sees the giving.
- God sees the fasting.
- God sees the obedience.
- God sees the service.
- God sees the tears.
People may overlook your sacrifice, but heaven never does.
Prayers
- O Lord, like David, I refuse to offer You what costs me nothing. May every sacrifice I make for Your kingdom become an altar that brings glory to Your name, in Jesus name.
2 Heavenly Father, help me remain faithful, knowing that You see every act of obedience and every seed of sacrifice. In Jesus’ name.
3. O God of remembrance, remember me as You remembered Noah, Hannah, and Cornelius, in Jesus name.
4. Let every spiritual thief assigned to steal the harvest of my sacrifices, be arrested by God’s angels, in Jesus name.
5. I declare that my sacrifices are not forgotten, my labor is not wasted, and my reward is coming in Jesus’ mighty name.
Pastor Nathaniel
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