After David had gathered as many materials as he could to build the Temple, he assembled his leaders and requested that they give a freewill offering too in order to complete the need. They responded with much gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Then, they worshipped the Lord! (Giving sacrificially always produces joy and worship!) David leads the worship in prayer, and he emphasizes a significant point so that we don’t miss it. He prays, “And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you” (1 Chron 29:13-14). (cf. v16)
The enormous offering that had just been collected prompted these words from David. David realizes two things. First, God owns everything! Second, even the good desires behind our good deeds are a gift from God! Notice he said, “all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” Our offerings are from God’s stockpile! When we give to God, we are essentially handing back to him what he has handed to us. So when we say, “our offerings,” we must qualify “our” heavily. It is not as though we are the source of our wealth or possessions. The source is God. He is the primary owner of it all.
Also, notice David says, “that we should be able thus to offer willingly?” In other words, the offering was so generous, it had to come from God. God put the desire in the people to give generously, and they did. The result: glory to God and joy among the people. “Praise your glorious name” 29:13 and “And they ate and drank before the Lord on that day with great gladness” 29:22. Cheerful, sacrificial offerings always end in these ways!
No comments:
Post a Comment