Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord
William MacDonald emphasizes that true Christian discipleship requires costly sacrifice and wholehearted commitment rather than offering God what costs us nothing.
In this devotional sermon, William MacDonald challenges believers to examine the cost of their commitment to Christ. Using the example of King David’s refusal to accept a free offering, MacDonald highlights the importance of sacrificial giving and wholehearted discipleship. He calls Christians to move beyond convenience and comfort, embracing a faith that demands personal sacrifice in response to the costly redemption of Jesus Christ.
Text
“Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” (2 Sam. 24:24)
When David was instructed to offer burnt offerings where the Lord had stopped the pestilence, Araunah offered as an outright gift a threshing floor, oxen, and wood for the fire. But David insisted on buying these things. He would not offer to the Lord something that cost him nothing.
We know that it costs nothing to become a Christian, but we should also know that a life of genuine discipleship costs plenty. “A religion that costs nothing is worth nothing.”
Too often the extent of our commitment is determined by considerations of convenience, cost, and comfort. Yes, we’ll go to the prayer meeting if we aren’t tired or if we don’t have a headache. Yes, we’ll teach the Bible Class as long as it doesn’t conflict with a weekend in the mountains.
It makes us nervous to pray in public, to give a testimony, to preach the Gospel—therefore, we remain silent. We have no desire to help at the rescue mission for fear of picking up lice or fleas. We shut out any thought of the mission field because of a horror of snakes or spiders.
Our giving is too often a tip instead of a sacrifice. We give what we will never miss—unlike the widow who gave all. Our hospitality is determined by the measure of expense, inconvenience and mess to our homes—unlike the soul winner who said that every rug in his house has been stained by drunks throwing up on them. Our availability to people in need ceases when we lie down on our water bed—unlike the elder who was willing to be roused at any time in order to be of spiritual or material assistance.
Very often when the call of Christ comes to us, we are prone to ask ourselves, “What’s in it for me?” or “Will it pay?” The question is rather, “Is this an offering that really costs?” It has been well said, “It is better in the spiritual life that things should cost than that they should pay.”
When we think of what our redemption cost our Savior, it seems a poor return that we should hold back from cost and sacrifice for Him.
Sermon Outline
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I
- David insists on offering a costly sacrifice to the Lord
- Araunah’s gift was rejected because it cost nothing
- True worship involves personal cost
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II
- Christianity costs nothing to enter but much to live out
- Convenience often limits our commitment
- Examples of half-hearted discipleship in daily life
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III
- The danger of asking 'What’s in it for me?'
- Spiritual life requires costly offerings rather than rewards
- Christ’s costly redemption demands our sacrificial response
Key Quotes
“Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” — William MacDonald
“A religion that costs nothing is worth nothing.” — William MacDonald
“It is better in the spiritual life that things should cost than that they should pay.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Evaluate your personal sacrifices in worship and service to ensure they reflect true commitment to God.
- Resist the temptation to limit your Christian service based on convenience or comfort.
- Remember Christ’s costly redemption as motivation to offer your best in all areas of discipleship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did David refuse Araunah’s gift?
David refused because he wanted to offer the Lord something that cost him personally, emphasizing the value of costly sacrifice in worship.
Does becoming a Christian cost anything?
Becoming a Christian costs nothing, but living a genuine life of discipleship involves significant personal sacrifice.
What does it mean to offer something that costs?
It means giving God your best, something that requires personal sacrifice rather than something given out of convenience or surplus.
How can Christians avoid a superficial faith?
By embracing costly discipleship, being willing to sacrifice comfort, time, and resources for the sake of Christ and others.
What is the main warning in this sermon?
The warning is against a faith that is motivated by convenience or self-interest rather than true costly commitment.