A Costly Offering

“What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” That was the self-imposed question of the Psalmist in the 116th Psalm. It is a question each of us should ask ourselves. His benefits toward us are astonishing, His grace amazing, and His mercy without end. What should be our response toward Him?

Many responses could certainly be suggested and a litany of “super-spiritual” platitudes seem appropriate. “My whole self”, “my complete devotion”, and “my unreserved obedience” are all commendable and are indeed answers worthy of such a question. But, they seem to be “givens” in response to the marvelous blessings afforded us by the Lord. A further probing may evoke a response somewhat more consistent with the question posed by the Psalmist.

The context from which this more appropriate response emerges is the final chapter of Second Samuel. David’s prideful, foolish, and disobedient insistence on taking a census, which verified the vastness of his kingdom, had aroused the judgment of Yahweh. God had sent pestilence that devastated the land and killed 70,000 of David’s subjects in the kingdom. When David recognized his sin, he determined to erect an altar and give a burnt offering to the Lord as an act of repentance and confession. He traveled to the threshing floor of Araunah, the Jebusite to prepare his offering. Araunah, honored by the presence of the King, offered to him the use of all of his threshing instruments necessary to prepare the sacrifice and even made available the burnt offering to David at no cost. David, however, recognized that his response to the Lord who had shown him such mercy and goodness must not be casual and without cost. His answer to Araunah was clear, “I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offering to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.”

So, when we consider the question of what to render the Lord in light of His benefits, the advice of David is an excellent model. What we give to God of our time, resource, talent, worship, and possessions should cost us something. We should not give to Him the leftovers, the meaningless, or the insignificant, but that which evokes sacrifice, deep commitment, and sincere cost. This is the only offering worthy of His amazing benefits.