Biblical Clarification of Modern Sacrifices
The Misuse of a Sacred Word
Today, the word sacrifice is often tossed around casually. We hear it in conversations about career moves, gym routines, or parenting struggles, but rarely do we grasp the depth of what the term truly means — especially in its original biblical context. Too often, it’s seen as something ancient, what “people in the Bible did,” rather than something still relevant, powerful, and personal.
Comparing Definitions
Let’s start with how sacrifice is currently defined versus how the Bible frames it.
Modern Definition (via Merriam-Webster): [^1}
- An act of offering to a deity something precious, especially the killing of a victim on an altar
- Something offered in sacrifice
- Destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else
- Loss
Biblical Definition:
Biblically, sacrifice is more than a transaction — it’s worship.
The Hebrew word korban means “something brought near” or “offering,” emphasizing nearness to God.
In the New Testament, the Greek word thusia, meaning “to kill” or “to offer,” highlights the cost and intentionality behind the act.
Biblical sacrifices were meant for atonement, thanksgiving, and devotion.
Unlike the modern view that tends to generalize the term, Scripture is specific:
A sacrifice is directed toward someone — and that someone is God.
The Most Expensive Resource
So what is one of the most valuable things we have today?
Time.
Unlike money or possessions, time cannot be regained once it’s spent. It’s finite, and it speaks volumes about what (or who) we truly value.
In our culture of constant busyness — running the rat race, replying to texts, scrolling social media — we often forget to ask ourselves:
To whom am I sacrificing my time?
Whether we realize it or not, every moment we give away is an offering.
The question is: are we offering it to Yahweh, the Creator of time itself — or to something else?
Paul reminds us in Romans 12:1:
“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice (thusia), holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
— Romans 12:1 (ESV)
Every act, every moment, every part of your body can be a living, breathing sacrifice to God.
A Friendly Reminder… and a Stern Warning
The Bible also makes it clear that sacrifices not offered to God can lead us down dangerous paths:
“They sacrificed to false gods, which are not God — gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your ancestors did not fear.”
— Deuteronomy 32:17 (NIV)
“No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:20 (NIV)
If you find yourself pouring time into something that promises fulfillment but continually leaves you empty — this may be why.
Our actions carry spiritual weight, and offering time to earthly idols brings spiritual consequences.
Final Reflection
You have hands, eyes, time, and breath — all given by God. Use them to glorify Him with your time.
- At work, pray for your coworkers.
- When texting a friend, mention Jesus and ask how they’re really doing.
- In line at the coffee shop, offer a kind word or prayer to the student studying next to you.
Spreading God’s love doesn’t require perfection — it requires presence.
Sacrifice your comfort, your time, your schedule — and watch how God uses it to reveal His love through you.
Take the time for God, because He literally created time for you.
Sources:
[1] “Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Sacrifice.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sacrifice
27 May 2025.