Giving: The Value of Sacrifice (Part 2)

Today let’s consider a passage in the Old Testament, I Samuel 24:24  “And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.” 

The background of the verse is that David wanted to buy a threshing floor from a man in order to give offerings to the Lord.  The man wanted to give the threshing floor to David free of charge. David made this statement found in verse 24.  King David had learned by this time of his life that something will mean much more to you when you have given something of your own to obtain it.

As parents and leaders of youth we can use to help us in the training of our teenagers.  If we are not careful, we will forget this lesson and raise spoiled brats. David knew there is value in investing one’s own personal assets into something in order for it to be truly meaningful.  This is very important for our youth. If the young people who grow up in a church do not learn to sacrifice on their own, they will become spoiled. They will never have a deep-rooted attachment to their home or church if they do not learn to give of themselves.

I nickname it the “Paris Hilton” syndrome.  Most of us who watch the news will laugh at her stupidity and then become disgusted because she acts like a spoiled brat.  She represents someone who has been given to, and given to, and given to, but was never taught the value of self-service.

We may laugh at Paris Hilton, but in many of our churches, we have raised a generation who expect Dad, Mom, their teachers, and church staff to give, and give, and give, with no sacrifice or gratefulness in return.  They bristle up when anyone dares to ask them to stand up and serve God.  As youth leaders and parents, we must always be looking for areas in which our teenagers and our children can learn the value of serving.  It is through service that a Christian finds fulfillment and satisfaction.