In 2 Samuel 24, we read that David conducted a census, exalting himself in a way that displeased God. So God told David that there would be consequences for his sin, and the result was a plague which would eventually take the lives of 70,000 men. Wanting to end the plague as quickly as possible, David followed the advice of Gad, one of Jacob’s sons, to go and build an altar and offer sacrifices to God at a threshing place on Mount Moriah. Today, let's listen to part of this story and consider what it tells us about worship:

Araunah looked and saw David and his soldiers coming up toward him. He went over to David, bowed down low, and said, “Your Majesty! Why have you come to see me?” David answered, “I've come to buy your threshing place. I have to build the Lord an altar here, so this disease will stop killing the people.” Araunah said, “Take whatever you want and offer your sacrifice. Here are some oxen for the sacrifice. You can use the threshing-boards and the wooden yokes for the fire. Take them—they're yours! I hope the Lord your God will be pleased with you.” But David answered, “No! I have to pay you what they're worth. I can't offer the Lord my God a sacrifice that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing place and the oxen for 50 pieces of silver.  (2 Sam. 24:20-24)

In today's passage, when David approached Araunah to buy his threshing place, Araunah offered him a pretty sweet deal that included the real estate, the wood and even the oxen needed for the sacrifice—all free of charge. “Wow! What a bargain!” you and I might have said. "Araunah is giving me everything I need, for free! Praise the Lord!" But here's what David said: "No! I have to pay you for what they're worth. I can't offer the Lord my God a sacrifice that cost me nothing." So, how do you and I worship the Lord? Does our worship ever cost us anything? I'm not just talking about Sunday morning at church when they pass the collection plate. Real worship can be costly. I damaged my back a number of years ago. It was painful to move, much less attend church. Going to church then, became real worship, even before we got there. Did you know that forgiveness is worship? Forgiving those who have hurt us or who have wronged us is costly. We give up our right to be treated better and our right to expect repayment when hurt. Forgiving monetary debts is obviously costly, too. But all these actions and responses can be God-honoring worship.