1 Chronicles 29
David offers his own precious metals and expensive material things for the building of the Temple of God. As king, he asks his people to do the same - and they did. They offered "their own" silver, and gold, and precious jewels to be used for the building of the Temple. David bursts into praises as he describes getting to watch the people offer these things to God willingly...
9: Then the people rejoiced for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
14: But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of thine own have we given Thee.
17-18: As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy Thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto Thee.
O LORD God of Abraham, Issac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the hearts of Thy people, and prepare their hearts unto Thee.
It's so crazy how we tend to cling to our material goods and money when it comes to God's work. I find myself far too caught up in "I need this" and "I want this", and find that I've wasted money over and over before I even realize it. (sidenote: actually one of the first reasons I stopped watching TV - commercials and their influence on me, and the fact that even the shows themselves were becoming advertisements).
That said - "I'm preaching to myself here". It's so easy for me to justify throwing money away on things I "absolutely have to have" - and then days later I'm thinking "why did I buy this?".
However, when it comes to giving money, time, and things for God's work, do I find it as easy to hand it over willingly? I'm not sure that I do - not as much as I'd like.
I just think it's so subtle - because when I want something, the "think about the budget" of my conscience seems so quiet, and the "OOooooooh cool! I will love having this!" is SO LOUD.
On the other hand, it seems that anytime I feel prompted to give something extra for a ministry or something - the "WELL ARE YOU SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH FOR THE BILLS?" all of a sudden finds a way to scream instead of whisper. Or the "are you sure you have time? You are so busy" taps me on the shoulder and tries to create stress of rushing, thereby sucking the joy out of even offering my time.
But you know, when I intentionally push through those naggings, and offer whatever it may be - because I sincerely wanted to - there's this sweetness on the other side of obedience with a willing heart:
Lord, you give me each breath; thank You for helping me realize it's time I can give back to You.
Lord - every dime I have is a gift from You, given to me to use for Your glory. Forgive me for the times I forget that it's all Yours.
Lord - all these things that grow old, rust, break and lose my interest seem so important when desire is high - but the waning of my interest over time just reminds me
You are the only lasting joy.
...keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the hearts of Thy people, and prepare their hearts unto Thee.
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