The Phil Files

Ouch! Grrr! I hate fox paws (faux pas) in my writing, especially when those paw prints make such a huge difference!

In this case, the difference was only one letter — I left out the letter “r” in the following sentence: “the offering to David for fee” in our SH!FT devotional (see at the bottom of this post) this morning. Little things can make a big difference just like there is a huge difference between getting something for “free” and getting something for a “fee”!

God gave Jesus as a sacrifice for us and the gift is freely given. That is what grace means: a free gift from the heart of God!

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23 NAS).

See also this same phrase in Romans 5:15-16 as Paul reminds us that we are saved by God’s free gift of grace and there is no “fee” for what we have received.

Some thing of giving or tithing or sharing their offering with God as a “fee” — the cost of doing business with God. But in reality, all of our acts of holiness and discipleship are responses to God’s gracious gift, Jesus’ incredibly loving sacrifices, and the Spirit prompting us to respond by taking on our Father’s character (2 Corinthians 8:9) and 2 Corinthians 9:15).

So I guess I will get forgiveness for my gooberheaded mistake, but I will never forget that there is a huge difference between “free” and “fee”!

Just for your insight, here are a couple of videos on giving we found to be thoughtful, humorous, and also convicting:

_scripture But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” 1 Chronicles 21:24 _thought King David had sinned and God was dealing with David’s sin forcefully. In full contrition, David steps in and intercedes for the people of Israel, confessing to God that he, Israel’s shepherd, had sinned, not the people. He should be punished, but not them. God instructed David to build an altar and make a sacrifice at the threshing floor of Araunah. When Araunah saw the angels of God and David, he offered the threshing floor and the oxen for the offering to David for fee. But David refused. His offering to God would not have been David’s offering unless it comes comes from his hand, at his expense, as his gift to God. And so it is with us. _prayer Father, you have graciously forgiven me at the great expense of Jesus’ life. You have blessed me incredibly with the presence of your Holy Spirit. You have given me many blessings, both physical and spiritual. So please accept my heartfelt offerings to you as I pledge to give to the work of your Kingdom generously, cheerfully, and thankfully, recognizing the privilege I have of being your child. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. _related scriptures 1 Chronicles 21:1-29 2 Corinthians 8:1-4