How much did that cost?
I know it's rude to ask how much something costs, but it's a curiosity that we all have.
Most of us have the decorum to hold back, but sometimes in the right situation, I've been known to ask this question, "How much did that cost?"
Recently, I bought a new (to me) old desk off of Facebook Marketplace. I didn't want to pay any more than the budget I had set for myself. Then the negotiations began, I ended up paying $10 above my budget because I saw potential in the old desk. I knew I could clean it up, repair it, and the desk would be beautiful. It turned out to be an easy job with the help of Old English and some wood glue.
I bet you'd like to know what I paid for it!
When you are the one paying for something--you tend to value it differently. Don't get me wrong, free stuff is great, but when you put down your hard-earned money, that purchase is all the more precious.
King David understood this principle. In 2 Samuel 24:24, he was preparing to make an offering to God. Araunah saw it was the King who was interested in making a purchase, and he wanted to give him the grain for his offering to bless the king, but David said this.
But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
We don't practice burnt offerings like they did in the old testament, but there is an offering that we do practice today that will cost us something. It's the offering of true worship.
Remember the woman who anointed Jesus feet with the costly perfume, that cost her something. Not only did it cost her money, but she took some criticism for her offering of worship--but she still poured her offering out on the feet of Jesus.
Remember the woman who anointed Jesus feet with the costly perfume, that cost her something. Not only did it cost her money, but she took some criticism for her offering of worship--but she still poured her offering out on the feet of Jesus.
What is the cost of your worship?
About 20 years ago, during a difficult time in my life, I was listening to a song with these words, "You don't know the cost of my praise." (Alabaster Box)
My father-in-law was dying and I was far away from him in another state. He had been an amazing, generous and kind person to me for the 25-years he was my father-in-law. As I listened to the words of that song, I began to worship the Lord.
Instead of asking the Lord for anything, I worshiped. In those moments of deep sadness, I didn't want to worship, but it was all I could do. I was sad, brokenhearted, but God had another plan. He met me in my worship and comforted me in a way only His presence can.
My father-in-law was dying and I was far away from him in another state. He had been an amazing, generous and kind person to me for the 25-years he was my father-in-law. As I listened to the words of that song, I began to worship the Lord.
Instead of asking the Lord for anything, I worshiped. In those moments of deep sadness, I didn't want to worship, but it was all I could do. I was sad, brokenhearted, but God had another plan. He met me in my worship and comforted me in a way only His presence can.
No matter what is happening in your life right now--find time to worship Him. Even if it cost you.
No one knows the cost of your praise.
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