1 Chronicles 29
There are few things as overwhelmingly awe-inspiring as seeing people give generously and sacrificially. We see this today when people give to support a family with a child suffering from cancer. Or whose homes have been destroyed by a hurricane. Or to help with a famine in a far-off land. Something about people giving generously for a unifying cause is incredibly moving.
The people united around David’s desire to build a palatial temple for God and gave generously. They rejoiced and praised the Lord, remembering that everything they gave was given to them first by God.
The American culture is marked by a strong value on ownership. Ownership of land, of property, of business. In many respects, we’ve fallen in love with the notion of owning stuff. It’s the “American dream” to own you own home. But in pursuing such a dream, we often overlook some important facts.
The first thing we overlook is that “every good and perfect gift comes from above”—God is the one who provides for all our needs and for the desires of our hearts (and who works in us to align our heart’s desires to His).
We also overlook the fact that with ownership comes responsibility. If you own a car, you are responsible for maintaining it in safe working order. If you own a home, you must take care of needed repairs to keep it functional and safe. Ownership also comes with a responsibility to use what God has given us responsibly and in ways that honor Him. We shouldn’t text and drive or speed. We should open our home in hospitality, remembering that it is something God has given us and everything He equips us with has a purpose for His kingdom. Ask the Lord what purpose He has for the things He has given you?
God blesses us so that we might be a blessing to others. It can be tempting to hold on tight to the things God has provided, but He counsels us that it is more blessed to give than to receive, that God loves a cheerful giver, and whatever measure you use in being generous to others is the same measure that will be used in His generosity toward you.
There are few things as overwhelmingly awe-inspiring as seeing people give generously and sacrificially. We see this today when people give to support a family with a child suffering from cancer. Or whose homes have been destroyed by a hurricane. Or to help with a famine in a far-off land. Something about people giving generously for a unifying cause is incredibly moving.
The people united around David’s desire to build a palatial temple for God and gave generously. They rejoiced and praised the Lord, remembering that everything they gave was given to them first by God.
The American culture is marked by a strong value on ownership. Ownership of land, of property, of business. In many respects, we’ve fallen in love with the notion of owning stuff. It’s the “American dream” to own you own home. But in pursuing such a dream, we often overlook some important facts.
The first thing we overlook is that “every good and perfect gift comes from above”—God is the one who provides for all our needs and for the desires of our hearts (and who works in us to align our heart’s desires to His).
We also overlook the fact that with ownership comes responsibility. If you own a car, you are responsible for maintaining it in safe working order. If you own a home, you must take care of needed repairs to keep it functional and safe. Ownership also comes with a responsibility to use what God has given us responsibly and in ways that honor Him. We shouldn’t text and drive or speed. We should open our home in hospitality, remembering that it is something God has given us and everything He equips us with has a purpose for His kingdom. Ask the Lord what purpose He has for the things He has given you?
God blesses us so that we might be a blessing to others. It can be tempting to hold on tight to the things God has provided, but He counsels us that it is more blessed to give than to receive, that God loves a cheerful giver, and whatever measure you use in being generous to others is the same measure that will be used in His generosity toward you.
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