Sacrifice can be simply defined as willingly doing a hard thing for a greater purpose.
In everyday life, we understand this instinctively—even though it’s still difficult.
- The hard work of physical exercise pays off in strength and health.
- Faithful studying leads to growth and learning.
- Practicing the piano develops skill over time.
- Setting aside money for an emergency fund brings stability and wisdom.
Hard things, when chosen for the right reason, often lead to good and lasting outcomes.
Scripture shows us that this same principle runs deeply through the story of God’s people—but with an even greater purpose in view: the glory of God.
Biblical sacrifice has taken many forms.
- For Aaron, it meant offering sacrifices in the temple again and again.
- For Ruth, it meant leaving her home and familiar life behind.
- For David, it meant years of running and waiting.
- For Daniel, it meant faithfulness in the face of real danger.
- For Mary, it meant surrendering her expectations for the future.
- For Paul, it meant shipwreck and prison.
Each sacrifice looks different—and that’s important. In the same way, while all of us are called to live lives that bring God glory, the shape of that obedience will look different for each person.
So what might it look like, today, to do a hard thing for the glory of God?–For you? For me?
It may look like:
- Loneliness
- Trusting God with an uncertain future
- Years of waiting with no clear explanation
- Loss of reputation or strained relationships
- Choosing faithfulness over security
- Physical pain or limitation
- Letting go of control
These are not new experiences. They are the kinds of costs God’s people have carried throughout history.
To me the hardest part of having a heart of sacrifice is not merely enduring difficulty—but offering it to God with open hands.
We can experience loss, pain, or disappointment and still be angry, bitter, or resistant to the Lord. But when those same experiences are surrendered—willingly—to God, He uses them for His glory and our good.
Jesus Himself knew the full cost of the cross. And yet, “for the joy set before Him,” He went forward willingly and endured.
I don’t know what bringing God glory will cost me personally. Certainly not shipwreck and prison. But Scripture is clear that following Christ will cost something—and that cost is meant to be offered freely, not grudgingly.
Sacrifice was central to the mission of Jesus.
And following Him means learning to follow Him in sacrifice.
If we believe God’s glory is truly worthy of everything, then it is worthy of whatever He asks.
The question is not whether there will be a cost—but whether we are willing to offer it.
“But the king said to Araunah, ‘No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.’ So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.” (2 Samuel 24:24 ESV).