But the king said to Araunah,

"No, but I will buy it from you

                   for a price.

I will not offer burnt offerings

   to the LORD my God

               that cost me nothing."

                    2 Samuel 24. 24

(What are we offering to God today,

not as an obligation,

not to appease Him,

        but out of love for Him?

Our leftovers or extras

           or our hearts?

We never know how

  God will use our offerings

  and those things we sacrifice

     (including our pride)

               for His Kingdom,

but He always does.

This patch of ground David bought

  eventually became the site

where Solomon built the temple.)

O LORD,

To You we lift up our eyes

    and set our hearts

    first thing in the morning

to worship You in this day.

Reveal to us

    how we can be faithful to You

in all that we do

and how to navigate

         the hours before us

                  in Your name.

Help us not to see sacrifice

    as what we give up,

but in bringing You glory.