Human Response 476: Worship Costs

1 Chronicles 21:24, 26 And king David said to Ornan, Nay, but I will buy it for the full price; for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost….And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the Lord; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.

When the angel of the Lord sheathed his sword and stopped the plague at the threshing floor of Ornan, David wanted to buy that plot of land from Ornan to build an altar. This spot became the site of Solomon’s temple. David intended to use that place to thank God, build an altar, and offer sacrifices.

Ornan was prepared to give the threshing floor to David for free, but David insisted on paying a costly price, for no expense should be spared when it is for the Lord. He has given us super abundant blessings by grace, for free, at the super great expense of giving His Son to suffer and die in our place. What Christ paid for us and our salvation was not cheap or easy. Our free reception of God’s grace gifts at Christ’s expense motivates us to not be cheap in our worship, service, and sacrifice to God.

Our response to Grace is to offer lavish and expensive offerings of thanksgiving to God. We build an altar in our heart and sacrifice our time, talents, and treasure to the Lord by serving others. We die to self and offer the most dear and precious thing we have (the Self) to thank God and serve others. Love costs.