24But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”
We live in the society of “free stuff.” We get so much given to us that we often balk at having to pay for things. But nothing is free. There is a cost to everything. When we get it free, that just means that someone else has paid for it. I live in a town where lots of businesses give discounts to military personnel. That just means that the owner has chosen to give up some of their profit in order to get my business. So if the owner wants to maintain their profit margin then they must raise the price for everyone in order to give the discount. So those who don’t get the discount are subsidizing my discount. Discounts cost someone somewhere. David wants to buy this field in order to set up an altar and stop the plague. He insists on paying for it. Are we that invested in our public worship that we “pay” for it with our time and efforts? Or are we just along for the ride? Do we know our place in the Body and use our gifts and talents to help others, or do we just come and complain that no one is taking care of you and your needs? David insisted on paying. Do we insist of serving? I want to encourage you to get involved. When we are involved we get more out of the exchange than we put in. We end up the beneficiary of the blessing. So, go and give yourself to someone else in ministry. Make it part of your life, and you won’t regret it.
The Arnold Journey 