What does it cost me?

The past few months have been both a great time of blessing & learning as well as testing and trying.  In the midst of all this, I can hear the Lord teaching me as he's changing me. 


 One of the great blessings is when I'm hearing the same message coming from multiple sources.  I wrote earlier this week about sacrifices and Lent, and then I read this today in my study of King David:

"But Kind David replied, "No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the LORD. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!" David proceeded to buy the threshold to use as an altar and offered his sacrifices to the LORD.

The things I am offering to the Lord...what are they costing me? Am I really being generous with my time with the Lord, or am I rushing through it? Am I using my gifts truly for Him, or to elevate myself. It must be more than token effort. It must be sacrificial...it must be given voluntarily and freely.