Today’s Devotion
Topic: ‘Stingy’ Towards God?
Text: 1 Chronicles 29: 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. Amen
David so badly wanted to build a temple for our Lord but Jehovah would rather his son Solomon. This was because He (David) was a warrior and had shed blood (1 Chron 28: 2-3). Nonetheless, this did not stop David from making supplies available for his son Solomon, the chosen one, so that nothing hinders this all important project.
He stood in the assembly of all Isreal and said, “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. 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. 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. Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?” (1 Chron 29: 1b-3, 5b)
“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. 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. Anyone who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.” (1 Chron 29: 6- 8)
Then David prayed saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 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. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. “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 Chron 29: 10b, 12-14)
Beloved, do you see how much David and the leaders of Israel loved God and understood the need to give towards His course? These days, it is not easily so with us, is it? We have become very ‘stingy’ towards the work of the Lord. Some blame it on economic factors, others on either the misplaced priorities of the church or her mismanagement of resources. Many others also feel the churches and Christian groups take advantage of the call to give to extort over and over their members. Again, there is still the category of those who are just ‘stingy’ and will only give under heavy persuasion or when danger threatens and they need a some intervention.
Now see, inasmuch as some of the above concerns may apply in some circumstances, we must take note that giving to God is always going to be a challenge for those who maintain the notion that it is their hard earned money to give. Conversely, when we realise that ALL WE HAVE IS THE LORD’S AND THAT WE ONLY GIVE WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN FROM HIS HANDS, then we can trust that He who sees through the heart and blessed us even when we didn’t deserve, will still see the sacrifice and effort to give as a token of gratitude and bless us even more.
Meditate upon this and begin to pray. Ask for grace to support the work and workers of God. Always remember to bless God with your substantance and it will come back to you in good measure till your cup runs over. Purpose in your heart to be generous toward the Lord, His work and others in need; And the Lord will prove to you HOW MUCH HE LOVES EACH CHEERFUL GIVER!
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