Worship and giving are Inseparable

Read 1 Chronicles 21.

King David ordered a national census.  There was nothing inherently wrong in conducting a census.  Counting the people had been done before and since this time.  We are not told what David's motive was, but it appears to be some point of pride and reliance on Israel's military strength, rather than God.  Here, Satan incited David to do this.  In the parallel passage of 2 Samuel 24 it was the anger of the LORD that prompted this in order to punish the nation.  Commentators see no conflict and compare it to the book of Job.  There the LORD allowed Satan to have limited influence to ultimately accomplish God's purposes.

Guilt overcame David when he realized his sin.  The LORD responded by sending the Prophet Gad.  Interestingly, the king was given a choice of three judgments lasting three years, three months or three days.  The king decided to leave the judgment with God, "for his mercy is very great" (v.13).

In a very dramatic description, the angel of the LORD (most likely a preincarnate appearance of Christ) with a sword unsheathed exercised punishment upon the nation.  Over a three day period, 70,000 men died.  Then, God said, "It is enough."  David and his inner circle of leaders were allowed to see this angel.  He was hovering over a place belonging to Ornan.

From God to the angel to Gad the message came to David to build an altar of worship on that site.  When Ornan and his family saw the king with his entourage coming his way, the family hid in fear but Ornan bowed in respect.  David asked for the threshing floor at full price.  Ornan countered to give everything to the king.  Note the great sacrificial offer of Ornan.  This was his livelihood-his threshing floor for the place of worship, his oxen for the sacrifice, his wood sledges for the fire.

In the 2 Samuel account we have that wonderful quote from David in response to Ornan, "I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing."  True worship of the LORD and giving that costs us something are inseparable.  Worship is a participatory action.  We humble ourselves, we sing, we pray, we give, we listen to the word of God, and then live accordingly every day.