The Shape of Sacrifice

Devotionals are a great way to prompt deeper study. As I considered this it struck me that I could write some for myself. In my own journey with Christ, I felt lacking when it came to sacrifice. As I explored this idea I began to write about what the scriptures were sharing about ways I could apply to my own life. I examine some significant questions for myself as I explore what sacrifice means in practical terms. Am I willing to make sacrifices for Christ? Am I willing to give time or money, suffer discomfort or persecution, and am I giving up or sacrificing myself for the cause of Christ? 

Sacrifice is central to faith—but it’s often misunderstood. We think of big, dramatic moments, but most of the time, real sacrifice is quieter. More personal. And much closer to home.

David understood the cost of sacrifice. When offered a free gift to help him make an offering to God, he refused. “I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). He knew that true worship isn’t about convenience. It costs something. Time. Pride. Comfort. Something that matters.

If I’m being honest, it’s easy to give God what’s convenient—what doesn’t interfere too much. But the deeper stuff? That’s harder. Especially in seasons where everything already feels heavy. Right now in my life, it feels like any sacrifice—of time, energy, focus—just adds stress. But that’s where faith pushes me to trust that God isn’t trying to burden me. He’s trying to free me.

The clearest picture of this is in Jesus’ prayer in the garden. “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). He didn’t skip the struggle. He brought it to the Father and surrendered. That’s where sacrifice begins—with the surrender of our will.

That kind of surrender isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about the small, intentional choices. Today, I can practice surrender by being more mindful of how I use my time—what I give my energy and attention to. And when I start my day with God, I find I’m far more likely to notice His direction. When I don’t, I tend to just plow ahead on my own.

Romans 12:1 calls us to be “living sacrifices.” Not once-and-done, but daily. The challenge with a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar. A dead offering stays put, but we have a tendency to get back up and take control again. We might surrender our plans to God in the morning, only to take them back by lunchtime. We say, “Your will be done,” but when things don’t go how we hoped, we start steering again. That’s why surrender isn’t a one-time event—it’s a posture we return to over and over. It’s a choice we make in the small things, not just the big ones. And it requires humility, honesty, and help from the Spirit to stay there.

Then there’s the sacrifice of praise. “Through Jesus… let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15). Praise is easy when life is good. But when it costs something—when it’s a whispered hallelujah through stress or silence—it becomes powerful. That’s the kind of worship God honors. Not because it’s loud or polished, but because it’s real.

Soldiers in battle choose to sacrifice every time they go on a mission. Their sacrifice could mean their life. With spiritual battles to wage, am I willing to be that devoted? Sacrifice isn’t about how much you give. It’s about what it costs. And it looks different every day. A surrendered will. A reclaimed moment. A faithful word. A small decision with eternal weight.

That’s the kind of life I want to live. And that’s the kind of life we’re called to live.

Andrew Miner is a father, worshiper, and fellow traveler in a fallen world. His writing flows from his own walk with Christ and a heart to build up men pursuing faith, family, and identity as disciples. A member of his church’s worship team, he shares stories and Scripture rooted in grace and spiritual endurance, hoping to strengthen brotherhood and unity among believers.