05/19/18 Giving Joyfully

READING: 1 Chronicles 27-29, Psalm 68

“Keep this desire forever in the thoughts of the hearts of your people.”

1 Chronicles 29:18

Pam and I love to give to the work of the Lord. Our church’s work takes priority, but we also give to other ministries. We’re honored to support others, though we recognize that our giving is often only a tiny, tiny percentage of a ministry’s budget. 

I’d be less than truthful, though, to say that we’ve always just enjoyed giving as much. When we first married, our income was considerably less. We knew we needed to give because the Bible expects believers to give, but we gave more out of obligation than out of delight. What we’ve learned since then, though, is that giving sacrificially is a joy. Never do we regret letting go of funds for God’s work. In fact, we now know that we’re not letting go of anything that was ever actually ours in the first place. 

David recognized that truth as he called the people of God to give toward building the temple. In his prayer for Solomon to have an “undivided heart” (1 Chron. 29:19), he also confessed the truth that God’s people were giving back to God what was His in the first place: “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your own hand. . . .  Lord our God, all this wealth that we’ve provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand; everything belongs to you” (1 Chron. 29:14, 16). The people of God were, in fact, only aliens in the land—and nothing belonged to them. 

When we remember these truths, giving becomes much easier. We’re not giving our wealth to help God; we’re giving His blessings to us back to Him to honor Him. He then takes those resources, multiples them, and magnifies His name among the nations. That’s what makes giving fun!  

May God grant us hearts toward Him that give “joyfully and willingly” (1 Chron. 29:17). 

ACTION STEPS: 

  • Thank God for all the blessings He gives you. 
  • Give sacrificially this week toward His work. 

PRAYER:  “Lord, give me a giving heart, and keep this desire in me.’” 

TOMORROW'S READING: Catch up and review day

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