1 Chronicles 29:10-30
Tuesday, 16 May 2023
“But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this?…” 1 Chronicles 29:14
1 Chronicles 29 starts with King David stating that because his heart was in building a house for the Lord, in addition to what he had already provided, he had turned over his personal fortune of gold and silver also for this purpose: and then he asks the people present, “Who then is ready and willing to consecrate themselves this day to the LORD?” i.e. to join in the giving. Many came forth and offered willingly and freely and King David was exuberant and blessed God in full view of the entire congregation asserting that everything good comes from God. (Vs 10-13)
So what kind of offering have we been giving? The heart of a giver is what God evaluates when we give to God. What we give to Him, how we give and why we give what we give (motive) is very important.
For us to understand further, let us take a look at some of the reasons that one may have for giving to God.
· Many give thinking that God actually needs our contributions, and that without it the work of God will stop.
· Some give because they feel that they have to contribute as members of a church, like a membership fee.
· Some give to solicit blessings from Him in return-like a business transaction.
· Some to gain favour with the leaders. Like a bribe. Followers of men.
· Some give because everybody else is giving. They are clueless
· Some give because it is written in the Bible. Keeping the Law.
So what should be the right reasons for giving to God?
· The people and David gave with their WHOLE heart- This means that there was no place in their heart for anything, like selfish motives for example. “… for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, …..” (1 Chronicles 29:9)
· They freely and willingly gave without any compulsion. “Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly,…,” (1Chronicles 29:9). In 1 Chronicles 29:17, David prays, “….I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; ….. seen Your people, … make their offerings willingly to You”
King David rejoiced because he did not make any attractive offer to all who will give generously neither did he impose a tax to get the required money which he could have, being the King. Instead he asked them to freely and willingly give and they did. Just like how our God freely and willingly gave us the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of His Son on the Cross to set us free from sin and death into eternal life— John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
· They offered generously without withholding. “But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this?”(1 Chronicles 29:14). They all understood that everything comes from God; all they were doing is giving back what they have been given from His generous hand. V.14. When we understand this truth we will not withhold anything that is due to Him, whether it is our time, resources, talents, honour, glory and ourselves. We who are parents will understand for they will not withhold anything good from their children whom then love.
Why are we then given all these by God, if it is meant to be given back to Him? What purpose is there in all of this? The purpose is not to see who can give back more, but to check the state of our heart. Giving back to God what is His, with willing hearts, reveals how much we really love Him.
Thought for the Day: “Since I know, O my God, that You try the heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things…….” (1 Chronicles 29:17)