What Sacrifice Have We Given?
"After all he's done for me"
Terry Baumann
Issue date: 3/20/10 Section: Devotional Thought
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Written specifically to Christians in Rome, Paul's words are also for Christians of all ages. His admonition made me consider what sacrifice, if any, I have given. What price have I paid so that Christ might be glorified in me?
Looking elsewhere in God's Word, I found the act of sacrificial giving throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, King Araunah freely offered David land to build an altar to the Lord. But David declined the King's gift; instead, David insisted on purchasing the land himself, rather than giving God a sacrifice that had cost him nothing.
When I thought about David's heart attitude, and the gift, I wondered again if I have refused to give God a sacrifice. Have I given only sacrifices of convenience that do not show true thanksgiving?
Another gift in Scripture demonstrates that message of sacrificial giving. In the New Testament, we see into the heart of a widow whose purse contained only two mites--a couple of dimes or dollars, I suppose, in today's currency. In her poverty, the widow gave both her coins: she gave all she had. Jesus commented that she had given more than all those who gave large amounts, but kept most of their riches. The others had not given sacrificially.
Sacrifice can be measured, metaphorically, on the thermometer of one's love for the Master. When we sacrifice motivated by love, that act of sacrifice also becomes an act of obedience; the price, a gift of thanksgiving.
May we today, as in the days of the Bible, prayerfully consider what sacrifices we have given. How does our "love thermometer" read? An old gospel song has a wonderful line which reads, "How can I do less than give him my best and live for him forever, after all he's done for me."