Money is a commodity that all people are positive about and are especially happy to receive. Money represents many things as far as the means to acquire it. Here are a few; favor (someone has to like you, it represents hours of time we may not necessarily want to give, it represents work (enduring, sometimes hard and strenuous), sweat, patience, a good attitude, self control, love and respect for others, learning to keep our mouths shut and keeping secret our opinions, submissiveness (doing things we don’t like with a good attitude) and acquired intelligence. In other words, money is in most cases, not free or exchanged without some prior knowledge of the one receiving the gift or wages.

The idea that money should be free is an un-biblical idea in most cases. Though people were poor, they still tried to earn it if even laying beside the road begging which displayed the reason for the need, which was also “work” The scripture says that if a person does not work, neither should they eat. It also admonishes us to work with our hands.

In the books of Samuel 24:24, the scripture says this about King David seeking property and goods for a sacrifice when they were offered for free: “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. David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.”

King David was speaking of making amends to Almighty God for wrong that he had committed. He was intending to offer a sacrifice to the LORD that would be acceptable and stop the punishment or wrath from God that was a direct result of sin. David realized this, God is expecting to offer his atonement for wrongs done, and it is not taken lightly, since in this case the people of Israel were suffering death by the droves for a sin that he had committed. He did not take it lightly. Although an owner of land was offering to give the king a space to prop down the things that he wanted to place before God, David realized that everything is not free in this life, neither is it intended to be free but to be accomplished by being responsible.

David being the king of Israel had the overly strenuous job of being responsible for the care and just rule over many people before God successfully. So the many days of what has to have been severe stressful days and night could bring a toll on his mind and body, his salary as King had to have cost him very much of his time that he could have used for pleasure, personal life, danger and the liberality of judgment fair and objective. He paid a high cost of the money or riches that he received of the people. He could not offer something to the LORD that cost him nothing. It must cost him the fair exchange of financial collateral earnings which cost prior work and earnings.

As we come into the presence of the LORD our King, we must remember what King David knew. The best things in life are not free, not really. The truly best things, like a relationship with our God, and to stand in His house are worth something financially as well as sacrificially. It is not getting something for nothing. Living for God requires something of us and to do it properly, we have to be ready to fund our sacrifice with money or other things in our lives that will have to be exchanged.

Though many think of the church as a place to get something for nothing, or a place where they should be supported for doing nothing, that has never been the case, as David has demonstrated. A heart that is right toward God is always giving willingly, always making that sacrifice that cost them something, mentally emotionally spiritually physically and monetarily. Truly Jesus paid the greatest cost. The price for our salvation and the entry to the door can only be paid by Jesus Christ, the cost of the journey and dedication is our responsibility and we are heirs together with Him. Though some people think that the church is a place that they should be paid for their presence, there is still additional cost to be paid by you.