There is no such thing.
We’d like to think there is. Many live
their lives simply trying to please themselves, and think they are thus
avoiding sacrifice. Many avoid God, religion, or following all the
dictates of their professed religion, because they don’t like the idea
of sacrifice. In their minds, either God is mean and wrong to ask for
sacrifice, or He is too nice to do so.
But there’s no escaping it, even
if we are blind to its presence, or even if we reject God. Some may
think they serve no one and certainly no god, but that’s impossible.
Whether we admit it or not, the temple in our heart can’t be empty. If
we refuse to allow God in there, some other idol(s) will slip in, in His
place. And that idol will always demand sacrifice.
This sounds crazy, I know, but
think about it. Let’s say I decide I will be happiest if I have a lot of
money. I’m so dedicated to riches that I decide to let nothing stop me.
So I put making money above following the law (provided I won't get
caught). I put making money above exercise and rest, since I’ve got to
put in a lot of hours to advance at work. I put it above being fair to
my co-workers, because getting that promotion is integral to achieving
my goal. So I’ll backstab or even lie about my co-workers. I may not
admit it, but money is my idol, and the sacrifices I make to it are my
conscience, my health, and good relationships with my colleagues.
Or let’s say what I care most about is
pleasure. I don’t want to slave away at my job; I only work so I can pay
for my pleasures. So I do just enough to keep my job; I don’t care
about the company I work for, its well-being, or about pleasing my boss.
I like people who are fun and with whom I have a good time. If they
stop being fun or have problems, I avoid them if possible. I engage in
activities that are pleasurable, even if they’re bad for me or risky. I
may not admit that I’m worshipping pleasure or sacrificing my integrity,
my long-term welfare, real friendship, my health, and possibly my life
to it, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am.
Of course in both those cases, all I’ve listed are the temporal
sacrifices, which any open-minded person can perceive. But believers
also notice the spiritual price to be paid: worshipping money, pleasure,
or anything instead of God ultimately means the sacrifice of my
character, of my virtues, of my eternal soul.
Most people aren’t as extreme as these examples though. They want money and pleasure and friends, so they give something to each. But they still fudge giving much of anything to God.
But many do allow God in the temple of
their hearts. Nevertheless, all of us—being sinners—have at least at
times let down our guard and also allowed some minor gods to creep in
there too. We don’t admit that they’re idols, so we think God won’t mind
sharing some space with them. We think we can please Him and them too,
and get the benefits of pouring a few surreptitious libations in their
direction.
Much as we would like to, we can’t
keep our pretty cake intact and eat it too. Everything comes with a
price. Often the price is worth it. Working hard at one’s job is worth
the cost involved to provide for one’s family. But not if means having
only the crumbs of time left for one’s family.
Growing in virtue and going to heaven
have a price too—I have to follow God’s commands, even though it means
denying myself or doing something difficult—but that price is well worth
it. Any sacrifice I need to make—my pride, my grudges, indulging in
excessive pleasure, my pet sins, getting my way—any and every one of
these sacrifices is well worth heaven and union with God, who alone can
satisfy my soul.