“Nor will I offer . . to the Lord that which costs me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24 NKJV.
Taking spiritual life seriously will cost a personal price gladly paid.
My thoughts and comments today are about “a practical ethic.” 
I remember my Dad saying to me, “Allen, anything that costs you nothing is usually worth the price you paid for it.” From him, I learned to appreciate the worth of Godly counsel and the cost and value of achievement. My life is better and my spiritual life clearer because of his practical wisdom. If I were to summarize my Dad’s personal ethic, it would be his conviction and example that: “Anything worth doing is worth doing well, and anything worth having is worth whatever effort or sacrifice it cost to acquire.”
The prophet Isaiah pleaded with a generation who turned from spiritual allegiance to godless idolatry. Isaiah reasoned, “Who would form a god or mold an image that profits him nothing?” Isaiah 40:10. How foolish. As I read Isaiah’s words, I recalled my father’s warning, “Anything that costs you nothing is usually worth the price you paid for it.” As an example, Isaiah wrote of a man who with purpose and costly expenditure of time and effort cut down a tree, used some of the wood to build a fire to warm himself and to cook a meal to feed and satisfy himself, and only then after his desires were served and needs met, “with the residue thereof, he makes a god . . and worships it.” Isaiah 44:14-17.
Yet, in one way or another, has not every one of us done something similarly? Any god who is merely an afterthought is impotent to save. God isn’t properly valued when you prioritize your affections, interests, time, and resources before giving what’s left to God and others. What remains when your wants are satisfied, your needs are met, your bills are paid, and your future seems secure? Whatever is then given to God and others is unworthy.
How must God view such lack of reverence and recognition? Maybe the only thing worse than offering your scraps to the true God is to take those scraps and create a false god to worship. I don’t think that I have ever done the latter, but I fear that there were occasions and situations when I may have done the former – offering my residue without apology or embarrassment.
When King David desired to acknowledge the Lord’s great grace and mercy, he chose a threshing floor where he would offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord. Read 2 Samuel 24:18-26. When the land owner recognized the King and heard his desire, he generously offered the land without price, and even the oxen for sacrifice. David got it right. “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that which costs me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24.
Taking the spiritual life of yourself and others seriously will cost a personal price gladly paid. Let me be practical. What does it mean to “give God what costs you nothing?” When you devote hours to your own pursuits, but leave only brief moments for Him; or when you spend freely for your pleasure, but offer God a mere gratuity; or when you make time for your pleasure and recreation, but allow no provision for your soul – you are taking the residue of your life and creating a false god to worship and serve. Jesus was clear, “[God] will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” Matthew 6:33 NLT. Now that is a practical ethic.
Today, my prayer for you is that you put God first in everything, every day, in every way.