Book 1 of Musings Offering a Sacrifice Without Cost

There are those who desire a high rank in the Kingdom but who make certain it will cost them little or nothing. They will make way before the army of those who have left all for Jesus.

When Araunah the Jebusite offered to King David the site of his threshing floor, plus oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering, all without charge, David said: "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."

Remember, Araunah was a Jebusite, not an Israelite. It was kind of him to offer all this to David. This transaction was important, because the site of the threshing floor proved to be the site on which the Temple was constructed.

"I will not sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing."

I don't know whether it is a characteristic just of American Christians, or whether the problem is worldwide. But sometimes the believers attempt to serve God without it costing them anything.

The Christians want God and want the blessing of God. But they don't want to be inconvenienced. They don't want to go to the expense, or travel the distance, or take a significant amount of their time, if it is necessary in order to do what they believe is God's will for them. They may want a nice church that has enthusiastic members and a forceful preacher. But they do not want to make a real sacrifice.

This condition is called lukewarmness, and it is prevalent in America at this time.

I realize there are numerous exceptions. There are some fiery disciples in America. But I am afraid they may be a minority.

Americans have embraced the Plymouth Brethren doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture. Even though any person familiar with the New Testament can easily disprove this widespread teaching, American believers are ready to embrace it. They are willing to accept the fact that Christians throughout history, and today in some areas of the world, have been and yet are being persecuted viciously. But they are God's pets and must not be inconvenienced.

Against the Scripture and against all common sense, American believers will accept the idea that God will not permit these comfortable churchgoers to suffer and is going to carry them to Heaven so they won't be troubled by Antichrist or the Great Tribulation.

Isn't this ridiculous? It defies everything Christianity has stood for during the Christian era. We Christians are accounted as sheep for the slaughter, as Paul said. The members of our Body, the Body of Christ, were fed to the lions in the arenas of Rome. And so we are to be carried to Heaven because God loves us too much to permit us to suffer?

When the "faith" message was prominent some years ago, a young man wrote to a missionary that if she would believe she would not have to suffer. When it was pointed out to him that the Apostles suffered, he said: "They wouldn't have suffered if they had faith."

One time while I was in India I noticed that the pastor of the church had one of the so-called "prosperity" books. I guess he hadn't read it or practiced it. Neither had the people, for they were frightfully poor.

There have been great saints of the Church who have embraced suffering. The Apostle Paul knew Christ's power was perfected as we are weakened.

The truth is, there is no way to make the offering Christ demands without it costing us something. Truly, the Christian way is one of peace and joy - a far better way of life than that of the unsaved. Nevertheless, to serve the Lord as He demands to be served results in our being compelled to offer our body as a living sacrifice.

David said: "I will not offer to God that which costs me nothing." Sometimes the believers are attempting to make their belief in Christ a method for giving them a better life, a better marriage, more money, perfect health, and every other good and fulfilling thing.

It is true that the Lord Jesus helps us in every area of life, when we ask for His assistance. But know this: when God is ready to claim you for His own, He will remove all that you trust in. You will be stripped bare, for God will have no other gods in your life. His name is Jealous, and He wants you for His own.

So rejoice and be exceedingly glad when God sets to work and demolishes your dollhouse. God has decided to save you from the American way of materialistic death. Let go of everything and rejoice that your name is written in Heaven. This is the way of the saints of all ages, and it never, never changes.

But 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." (1 Chronicles 21:24)

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