What other Scriptures emphasize the importance of giving God our best? Costly Worship: The Heart of 1 Chronicles 21:24 “King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the LORD what belongs to you, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” (1 Chronicles 21:24) A Thread First Woven in Genesis • Genesis 4:3-5 — “Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil… Abel brought the best of the firstborn of his flock… the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering.” • Hebrews 11:4 reflects back: “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.” Unblemished Offerings in the Law • Exodus 12:5 — “Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male.” • Leviticus 22:20 — “You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.” • Exodus 25:2, 8 — “Receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him… they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.” – God dwells where His people willingly give their finest. Wisdom Literature: First and Best • Proverbs 3:9-10 — “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty…” Prophetic Rebukes of Cheap Worship • Malachi 1:6-8 — “When you present blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong?… Try offering them to your governor—would he be pleased?” • Haggai 1:4-8 (summary) — Paneled houses for the people; a neglected house for God. He calls for wholehearted rebuilding. Historical Echo: 2 Samuel 24:24 • “I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” – Same event, same principle: costly obedience. Gospels: Extravagant Devotion • Mark 12:43-44 — “This poor widow has put more into the treasury… she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” • John 12:3 — “Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume… anointed Jesus’ feet… and the house was filled with the fragrance.” – Jesus defends her costly act (vv. 7-8). Epistles: Whole-Life Sacrifice • Romans 12:1 — “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” • Philippians 3:8 — “I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ…” • Colossians 3:23-24 — “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord…” • Hebrews 13:15-16 — “Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise… for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Warning Against Lukewarm Service • Revelation 3:15-16 — “Because you are lukewarm… I am about to vomit you out of My mouth.” – Half-heartedness disgusts the Lord. Living the Principle Today • Give God the first portion of income and resources, not leftovers. • Offer the prime hours of the day for prayer and Scripture, not the scraps. • Serve with excellence in ministry, workplace, and home as acts of worship. • Guard purity of motive—willing, joyful, sacrificial. • Celebrate opportunities to invest time, talent, and treasure that “cost something,” trusting God to provide abundantly. |
    |