Meaningful Gifts

In the book of 2 Samuel, King David wants to make an offering to God. So, he visits a man named Araunah. He wants to buy some of his property to build an altar. Araunah says, “You’re the King. You don’t have to give me any money.  I’ll give you the property. I’ll even give you the animals to sacrifice!” But, David insists on paying for them. He says, “I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord that cost me nothing.”

David is an older man at this point. And he clearly understands that there is something about sacrificial giving – something about giving gifts that cost us something – that is both pleasing to God and good for our souls.

I recently heard Joseph Goldstein talk about cultivating generosity. He said that he set the intention for himself to give whenever he initially felt a nudge. “Don’t overthink it. Don’t go back and second guess. The more we give, the easier it gets.” 

Let us pray: God it feels good to give. It feels good to help and to serve. Open our eyes today to see ways in which we can give at a sacrificial level.  We pray today for those who do give sacrificially all the time. Through our giving, help us to notice the many gifts you have given us – not least of which is your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.