July 17, 2015
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Generosity in Perspective

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Opening Prayer

Gracious Father, whose lovingkindness never fails, I thank You for Your unchanging loyalty.

Read 1 Chronicles 29:1-20

[1] Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God. [2] With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God-gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble-all of these in large quantities. [3] Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: [4] three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, [5] for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the LORD today?” [6] Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. [7] They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. [8] Anyone who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. [9] The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. [10] David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. [11] Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. [12] Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. [13] Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. [14] “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. [15] We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. [16] LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. [17] I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. [18] LORD, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. [19] And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.” [20] Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the LORD your God.” So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the LORD and the king.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

God rejoices when his children give joyfully (2 Cor. 9:7). King David and the leaders of Israel obviously warmed God’s heart!

God must have been ecstatically happy with the generosity demonstrated that day! The Israelites had already been encouraged to volunteer their skills in the building of the Temple. Now their leaders were invited to be generous with their resources. In response to David’s call, they willingly parted with their treasures. It is hard to imagine the collection process for such great wealth, but somehow they had organized a “treasury of the temple” (8) where valuables would be kept in safe custody until needed for the building project (1 Chron. 26:20-22; 1 Kings 7:51). Bringing these donations was an act of commitment of themselves to the Lord.

Both people and king celebrated the result–but not in a self-congratulatory way. David recognized that the God of the nation’s history was the God of all time and space; he was the true king and the owner and giver of all wealth. David was humbled that such an insignificant people should be privileged to give back to God from their abundance, and he urged his people, and especially his son, to maintain joyful obedience to this great God.

Likewise, the New Testament encourages a generous spirit: a sacrificial attitude is more important than the size of the gift; faithful stewardship is more important than financial success; giving brings more happiness than receiving; sharing resources builds community and meets needs. The primary motive for our generosity is the supreme generosity of God himself–he gave his own Son (John 3:16; 2 Cor. 8:9). Although David had a clear grasp of God’s generosity, Jesus’ human ancestor could not have appreciated the amazing grace of God that would be supremely demonstrated through his descendant.

Apply

What can you learn from King David’s fundraising strategy? If someone unknown to you were to look over your bank statement, what would they conclude about your loyalties?

Closing prayer

All-Seeing God, I am reminded that it’s not all about me. Continue to teach me to share joyfully what You have given me.

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