“The task is great, for the temple will not be for man, but for the LORD God. So to the best of my ability I’ve made provision for the house of my God.” (1 Chronicles 29:1-2)
“Do you give that which is personal? Does your monetary giving come from your heart, not just your checkbook? Does the giving of your time flow from rejoicing, not resentment? Has the Lord been leading you to give of yourself in some particular area? What’s keeping you from stepping out in obedience?
David knew that little would influence Solomon’s success more than being surrounded by leaders whose hearts were devoted to seeking the Lord.
Solomon lacked nothing but age and experience – a lack that probably scared his father half to death. He could not explain how lonely Solomon would be at the top, the exhaustion of too much responsibility, the temptation of too much power, the loneliness of too few friends Chances were good that Solomon would not have understood David anyway. He had too many stars in his eyes…So David looked at the whole assembly and basically said, ‘Give him a hand. He’s going to need it.’
Never underestimate the power of a positive example!
David could not have motivated the leaders of Israel to give freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord unless he too had given. He could have forced them, but the willing spirit God so deeply desired would have been forfeited. David knew their cheerful giving would be motivated by his own; therefore, he had to give more than what belonged to the kingdom. The third verse clearly tells us, ‘I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God…’
David gave what was his. That which was personal. And the people overwhelmingly responded: ‘The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD.’
What a glorious moment! I can’t think of much that spurs the hearts of the people of God like the wholehearted devotion of their leaders. When leadership is sold out to God, the followers become willing to sell out too.
Lord, how gracious of You that when we perform acts of service and ministry, You not only meet the needs of others but create an overflow that results in many expressions of thanks to You. Because of our service, people are inspired to praise You for the obedience that accompanies our confession of the gospel of Christ (2 Cor. 9:12-13).”
My word this morning.