Sacrifice is a word that carries deep meaning.
It’s not just about giving something up—it’s about giving for a purpose.
Throughout history, people have made sacrifices for their families, their dreams, and their beliefs.
But what does the Bible say about sacrifice?
Does God still require it?
And what kind of sacrifices truly please Him?
The Bible speaks about sacrifice from the very beginning, shaping the way we understand love, obedience, and devotion to God.
Let’s take a closer look at what Scripture teaches about sacrifice and why it matters in our lives today.
Sacrifice in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, sacrifice was a major part of worship.
People would bring animals, grain, and other offerings to God as an act of obedience and devotion.
Leviticus 17:11 explains why this was necessary: “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
Sin had a cost.
And that cost was paid through sacrifice.
Animals were offered as a way for people to be cleansed of their sins.
There were different kinds of sacrifices: burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.
Each one had a specific purpose, but they all pointed to the same truth—sacrifice was necessary to be right with God.
However, these sacrifices were never meant to be permanent.
They were a temporary way for people to deal with sin, but they foreshadowed something greater to come.
The Greatest Sacrifice of All
The Old Testament sacrifices were important, but they were not enough to fully remove sin.
That’s why Jesus came.
John 1:29 says, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice.
He didn’t just offer an animal—He offered Himself.
Hebrews 9:26 explains, “But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
Unlike the Old Testament sacrifices that had to be repeated over and over, Jesus’ sacrifice was final.
His death on the cross paid for the sins of the world.
No more animal sacrifices were needed.
His blood was enough.
Through His sacrifice, we are forgiven.
Through His sacrifice, we are made right with God.
This is the heart of the gospel—the greatest act of love ever shown.
Sacrificing for God Today
If Jesus already made the ultimate sacrifice, does that mean we don’t have to sacrifice anything?
Not at all.
The Bible still calls us to a life of sacrifice—but in a different way.
Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
God doesn’t ask us to bring animal offerings anymore.
Instead, He asks us to give ourselves.
This means surrendering our lives to Him, choosing to follow His will instead of our own desires.
It’s about sacrificing our time, our comfort, and our plans to serve Him.
Being a living sacrifice is not a one-time event—it’s a daily commitment.
It’s about putting God first in everything.
Sacrificing for Others
Jesus showed us that sacrifice isn’t just about our relationship with God—it’s also about how we love others.
1 John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
Sacrificing for others doesn’t always mean giving up your life.
Sometimes, it means giving your time to help someone in need.
It means being patient when you’d rather be frustrated.
It means forgiving when you’d rather hold a grudge.
Love is sacrificial.
Jesus didn’t just love with words—He loved with action.
And He calls us to do the same.
Sacrificing Selfishness
One of the hardest sacrifices we are called to make is giving up our selfishness.
Human nature wants to put self first.
We want comfort, recognition, and control.
But Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Following Jesus means sacrificing our own desires.
It means saying no to sin and yes to God’s ways.
It means letting go of things that pull us away from Him.
This kind of sacrifice isn’t always easy.
But it leads to something greater—true life in Christ.
The Reward of Sacrifice
Sacrifice is never in vain.
God sees every act of love, every moment of obedience, and every choice to put Him first.
Jesus promised in Matthew 19:29, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”
God rewards those who sacrifice for Him.
This doesn’t always mean material blessings.
But it does mean peace, joy, and eternal life with Him.
When we sacrifice for God, we are storing up treasures in heaven.
We are investing in something that will last forever.
Sacrifice and Faith
True sacrifice requires faith.
It means trusting that God’s plan is better than our own.
Abraham showed this kind of faith when God asked him to sacrifice his son, Isaac.
Genesis 22:2 says, “Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.'”
This was a huge test of faith.
Isaac was the child God had promised to Abraham.
But Abraham obeyed, trusting that God had a plan.
At the last moment, God provided a ram for the sacrifice instead.
God didn’t actually want Isaac—He wanted Abraham’s trust.
Sometimes, God calls us to sacrifice things not to take them away, but to test our faith.
When we trust Him, He always provides what we need.
Living a Life of Sacrifice
A life of sacrifice is not a life of loss—it is a life of gain.
Jesus said in Luke 9:24, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”
When we give up control to God, we find true freedom.
When we let go of our own desires, we receive something better—His perfect plan.
When we love others sacrificially, we experience the joy of living like Christ.
A life of sacrifice is a life of purpose.
It is a life that reflects the heart of Jesus.
Final Thoughts
The Bible teaches that sacrifice is at the center of faith.
From the Old Testament sacrifices to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, God has shown us what true love looks like.
Today, we are called to be living sacrifices—giving our lives fully to God.
Sacrificing for Him, for others, and for the sake of His kingdom.
It’s not always easy.
But it is always worth it.
Because in sacrifice, we find the greatest reward—deeper faith, true love, and eternal life with Christ.
What is God calling you to sacrifice today?
Whatever it is, trust that He is faithful.
And in giving to Him, you will never lose.