722) Gifts are often hard to appraise. Is a brand-new sports car more valuable than $5.00? The surprising answer is, “No”. Why? Because the value of a gift is determined by what it cost the giver. If a millionaire gives you $500.00, that’s great, but it’s not as valuable as the widow who gives you $5.00 out of a meager Social Security check.

In 2 Samuel 24:18-25, David has made some bad choices in his leadership and he knows he needs to make it right with God. In the Old Testament, this involved bringing a sacrifice to God and here, David is offered, free of charge, what he needs. Instead, David recognizes that what he brings to God needs to cost him something.

John 15:13 tells us of another gift that is offered to us; one that cost Jesus His life. What would the appraisal be for this gift?