GIVE GOD YOUR BEST                                                 2 Samuel 24:18-25

Though the army of the Syrians had come with few men, the LORD delivered into their hand a very great army, because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers. Thus they executed judgment on Joash. (v24)

Instead of trusting God for victory over his enemies, David decided of his own volition to count the number of troops in his army to see how strong he was. God considered it “a slap in the face,” and a plague hit Israel that wiped out seventy thousand people. In order to stop the plaque, David was told, “Build an alter to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite” (v18 NLT). When Araunah realized what was happening, he offered his threshing floor and oxen to David free of charge. But David said. “No. I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen. David built an alter there to the Lord and sacrificed the burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the Lord answered his prayer… and the plague on Israel was stopped.” (vv24-25 NLT).  The old Anglo-Saxon word for worship is worth – ship,  which is the act of ascribing worth or value to a person or object. What’s the point? It’s this: When it comes to serving God, it doesn’t cost – it doesn’t count. God knows we can’t all give the same amount. But what He’s asking for isn’t equal giving, but equal sacrifice! The Bible says, “Honour the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything – (Proverbs 3:9 NLT) So whether you’re worshiping, serving, or giving, make sure you’re giving God your best. (TWFT)

PRAYER LINE: Father, David refused to give You what did not cost him anything. Please grant me the grace to give You the best, my whole being. In Jesus’ Name.

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If you’re looking for guidance, follow Christ as your guide.