17 And he said, “Far be it from me, O LORD, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.
2 Samuel 23:17
David made this statement when the three mighty men brought the water from the well of Bethlehem to him. In effect, David was saying, “I don’t deserve this. There is only One person that deserves this.” What does that translate to? It tells me that God deserves a better deal than me. If you are one of those who say, “What is God going to do with that kind of money,” you need to realize that God deserves a better deal than you. If you think you deserve to live in a mansion, God deserves something bigger and better than a mansion. If you think you deserve the latest model of a car, God deserves a better deal than that. Get it into your spirit.
I like people of style. I like people who have standards, and as Christians we ought to raise our standards. I believe in excellence, I preach it and I am committed to living a life of excellence. However, if you have raised your standard to the highest limit, to the greatest style you can think of, God deserves a better deal than that. If every month you buy yourself a designer suit, because you think that’s what you deserve, God deserves a better deal. Some people always search in their pockets for “loose change” to put in the offering basket in church. It ought not to be so.
One of the reasons that God said David was a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22) must have been because he always put God first. That’s what king David’s offering tells us.
This thanksgiving season, what will you give to God? You say, “But I need it so badly.” You shouldn’t give to God your crumbs and you shouldn’t borrow to give to Him either. Of course, what God wants you to thank Him with is what you still need. God is not a God of remnants, He is a God of surplus and He deserves a better deal.
Confession:
Father, You deserve a better deal than I do. I willingly sacrifice to You the very best You have given to me.
