Isn’t that the opposite of what many Christians and churches do today? It seems like when a church is seeking to purchase something, especially something for God, such as land for a new building, they want it for nothing or for a reduced price, and then tell others how the Lord provided it for them. What do you think?

Answer by Randy Alcorn

You make an interesting point.

In reference to the Scripture you quoted, part of it is that David is the king and he’s in a better financial position that anyone else, so he doesn’t want to take unfair advantage of a person who has less wealth than he does. David wants his giving to the Lord to be his sacrifice and not the sacrifice of another person.

Araunah is saying to David, “You take it and I’ll give it to you.” He’s addressing David as my lord, the king—deferring to the king and saying since he’s in authority, he has the right to have it. Then David says, “No, I will pay full price.”

This is a good reminder that there is a time to not only pay full price, but also to pay in excess to the glory of God, if that’s more pleasing and honoring to Him.