Tag: 1st Chronicles 28-29
Connecting with generosity!
Scripture reading for April 22nd: 1st Chronicles 28-29
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all you that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2nd Corinthians 9:7-8
Preachers are sometimes pushy or manipulative in asking the people to give. There are so many needs and money is often a limiting factor in the work of the church, at least in our minds. The love of money keeps many from giving and holds back God’s blessing in the people as well. This area is a touchy area for many because of the various abuses and the strongholds of idolatry to money and materialism in this land.
King David set forth his personal giving to fund the vision of building the temple of the Lord. A good leader will always lead the way for those he is calling to help. David gave of his personal treasure 188 tons of gold, 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze and 3,750 tons of iron. This was a fortune by today’s values! From this position of personal dedication, he challenged his other leaders to willingly too.
The leaders caught the spirit of generosity that King David had modeled. They also contributed “willingly and wholeheartedly” to the Lord. (1st Chronicles 29:6-9) David rejoiced with a psalm of praise to the Lord! He attributed everything that he had to God’s grace! (1st Chronicles 29:11-12) We can boast about nothing! He alone is to be praised!
David prayed for the people: “And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O, Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever and keep their hearts loyal to you.” (1st Chronicles 29:17-18) That is my prayer for each of us today! May you have a willing heart to give! If you are a leader, may you set an example of extravagant giving. May your heart remain loyal to the Lord and open to be generous forever!
God loves willing givers!
Scripture reading for April 21st: 1st Chronicles 28-29
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all you that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2nd Corinthians 9:7-8
Preachers are sometimes pushy or manipulative in asking the people to give. There are so many needs and money is often a limiting factor in the work of the church, at least in our minds. The love of money keeps many from giving and holds back God’s blessing in the people as well. This area is a touchy area for many because of the various abuses and the strongholds of idolatry to money and materialism in this land.
I love the 29th chapter of 1st Chronicles. In this chapter, King David sets forth what he is personally giving to fund the vision he has been given of building the temple of the Lord. He sets the example of personal dedication by first giving sacrificially himself. A good leader will always lead the way for those he is calling to help. David gives of his personal treasure 188 tons of gold, 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze and 3,750 tons of iron! From this position of personal dedication, he challenged his other leaders to give as well.
His leaders caught the spirit of generosity that King David had modeled. They contributed “willingly and wholeheartedly” to the Lord. (1st Chronicles 29:6-9) David rejoiced with a psalm of praise to the Lord for His greatness and power. He attributed everything that he had to God’s grace! (1st Chronicles 29:11-12) We can boast about nothing because all things come from God’s hand to us!
David prayed for the people: “And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O, Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever and keep their hearts loyal to you.” (1st Chronicles 29:17-18)
May God give each of us a heart to give! If you are a leader, may you set an example of extravagant giving. May your heart remain loyal to the Lord and open to be generous forever! God loves a cheerful giver!
Ending Well
Scripture reading for April 22nd: 1st Chronicles 28-29
In long distance races, the start isn’t as important as the finish. In the race of life, I want to finish well! I don’t want to fall away or disgrace God as I leave this life. History is full of stories of great men of God who have not finished very well. Saul, David’s predecessor is a prime example of a man who at the end of his life was tormented by fear, sought a medium, and finally took his own life.
David called together all the leaders of Israel and spoke to them at Jerusalem. He recounted how God in His sovereignty had picked Judah and his family to be king. He told them that God had chosen Solomon to be his successor and the one to build a house for the Lord. (1st Chronicles 28:4-7) He charged Solomon to follow all the Lord’s commands and possess the good land that God had given them, passing it on to his descendants. He instructed Solomon to acknowledge God as his Father and serve Him willingly and wholeheartedly!
David then gave the plans for the temple to Solomon and encouraged him in the execution and building of this house for the Lord. The Lord had given David the plans and had given him understanding for each detail! (1st Chronicles 28:19) David personally gave large quantities of his own resources to build the temple. He gave gold, silver, bronze, iron, stones and marble. David knew that he could not take this great wealth with him when he died. He truly wanted to set a good example for his son and the leaders of Israel. His giving inspired others and they also began to give!
King David then offered up prayer and praise to the Lord. He praised God for His greatness and glory. He acknowledged that all his wealth and honor had come from God. He confessed that men were very short-lived on the earth. He prayed for God’s grace in Solomon’s life. This prayer is a wonderful finish to David’s life! (1st Chronicles 29:10-19)
“David son of Jesse was king over all Israel. He ruled Israel forty years–seven in Hebron and thirty three in Jerusalem. he died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor.” (1st Chronicles 29:26-28) What will your epitaph read? Are you setting a course that will enable you to finish well?
God loves willing givers!
Scripture reading for April 22: 1st Chronicles 28-29
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all you that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2nd Corinthians 9:7-8
Preachers are sometimes pushy or manipulative in asking the people to give. There are so many needs and money is often a limiting factor in the work of the church, at least in our minds. The love of money keeps many from giving and holds back God’s blessing in the people as well. This area is a touchy area for many because of the various abuses and the strongholds of idolatry to money and materialism in this land.
I love the 29th chapter of 1st Chronicles. In this chapter, King David sets forth what he is personally giving to fund the vision he has been given of building the temple of the Lord. He sets the example of personal dedication by first giving sacrificially himself. A good leader will always lead the way for those he is calling to help. David gives of his personal treasure 188 tons of gold, 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze and 3,750 tons of iron. This would be vast fortune by today’s values! From this position of personal dedication, he challenges his other leaders to willingly give as well.
The leaders catch the spirit of generosity that King David had modeled. They also contribute “willingly and wholeheartedly” to the Lord. (1st Chronicles 29:6-9) David rejoices with a psalm of praise to the Lord! In this psalm he praises God for His greatness and power. He attributes everything that he has to God’s grace! (1st Chronicles 29:11-12) We can boast about nothing! All things come from God’s hand to us! He alone is to be praised!
David prays for the people: “And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. O, Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever and keep their hearts loyal to you.” (1st Chronicles 29:17-18) That is my prayer for each of us today! May you have a willing heart to give! If you are a leader, may you set an example of extravagant giving. May your heart remain loyal to the Lord and open to be generous forever! God does love a cheerful giver!