However, the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.David has been sent by God, specifically to make a sacrifice on this property. I don't know if that required that he own the property first, but David obviously intended to do that. He comes to the owner, who immediately offers to give him everything needed for the sacrifice, even the burnt offering itself. But David refuses, because he won't sacrifice to God when it's of no cost to him. 50 shekels probably wasn't pocket change for David, but he still realizes a sacrifice without cost is no sacrifice.
How often do we offer God that which doesn't cost us anything? How many times do I only do things when it's convenient, or it's someone I like anyhow, or someone who I know will (at least try to) compensate me? I always try to subtly avoid any kind of "repayment" when I do something for others, but I'm sure I don't always look at it as a sacrifice to God. I also know I am less likely to do something I'm being nudged to when it's for someone I don't like, and it's something I think God has been working with on my recently. I hope he succeeds soon, because sometimes the circumstances get very grating to me.
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