Give Pt. 1
“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.
1 Chronicles 29:14
King David is not far from death as he looks forward to the work his son, Solomon, will do to build the temple. In preparation, David has taken up an offering of sorts, calling on God’s people to give gifts that will go toward the building project. At the end of this campaign he brings together the assembly (church remember) to praise God and notice what he says?
Rather than praise the people for their generosity or glory in his own fundraising campaign, David recognises the true source of, well, everything. And it’s a powerful reminder of what it is to give as Christians.
I wonder. Do you see this? Everything you have is from the hand of God. I want you to just reflect for a moment. On your possessions, your relationships, your health, the money in your bank account, your job, your giftings and so on. All of these things are from God. Don’t believe me?
Consider this. Why were you born you? Why were you born where you were born? Who plucked your soul and put it into that single cell at your conception. Who ensured your birth in a particular time and place? Who gave you your body? Your circumstances?
Yes that’s right. Everything you have is from God’s hand. And beware of thinking you deserve it. Do you deserve it more than the child of the Congo born into poverty? No. You don’t. It is simply God’s grace to you.
Now, is it not right that we might return God’s generosity with generosity? Is it not right that we should use what He has given us for His purposes? Is it not wrong that we begrudge giving 8%, 10% or even 20% of what He has given us? Whether it’s in time or money.
On the flip side. How much easier it is to give much of what we have and our very selves when we see that it’s all God’s and that just as He has freely given us now, He has promised to give so much more into eternity.
For Today:
Pray:
1 Chronicles 29:14
King David is not far from death as he looks forward to the work his son, Solomon, will do to build the temple. In preparation, David has taken up an offering of sorts, calling on God’s people to give gifts that will go toward the building project. At the end of this campaign he brings together the assembly (church remember) to praise God and notice what he says?
Rather than praise the people for their generosity or glory in his own fundraising campaign, David recognises the true source of, well, everything. And it’s a powerful reminder of what it is to give as Christians.
I wonder. Do you see this? Everything you have is from the hand of God. I want you to just reflect for a moment. On your possessions, your relationships, your health, the money in your bank account, your job, your giftings and so on. All of these things are from God. Don’t believe me?
Consider this. Why were you born you? Why were you born where you were born? Who plucked your soul and put it into that single cell at your conception. Who ensured your birth in a particular time and place? Who gave you your body? Your circumstances?
Yes that’s right. Everything you have is from God’s hand. And beware of thinking you deserve it. Do you deserve it more than the child of the Congo born into poverty? No. You don’t. It is simply God’s grace to you.
Now, is it not right that we might return God’s generosity with generosity? Is it not right that we should use what He has given us for His purposes? Is it not wrong that we begrudge giving 8%, 10% or even 20% of what He has given us? Whether it’s in time or money.
On the flip side. How much easier it is to give much of what we have and our very selves when we see that it’s all God’s and that just as He has freely given us now, He has promised to give so much more into eternity.
For Today:
- Do you believe that everything you have is from God?
- How are you going with giving? What % of your income do you give? What % of your time?
- Assess and consider how you might honor God more with your giving.
Pray:
- Praise the Father for the gift of everything we have.
- Give thanks for Christ who is our greatest gift.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others give generously from what God has given.
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