03 26 08 Ability and the Willingness to Give

“You are the source of wealth and honor; you rule over all.
You possess strength and might to magnify and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your majestic name!”
(1 Chronicles 29:12-13 NET)

David had received word from the Lord that his son Solomon would be the one to build the Temple (1Chronicles 28:6). His encouragement to Solomon was similar to the charge Moses gave to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:7-8 / Joshua 1:6-9). David has told the people that God had chosen Solomon, despite his age and inexperience. The work was not to be taken lightly. David pledged his personal resources as an example for others to follow, but God Himself would have to be the Source.

David admitted that even all his wealth had come from God. No matter what we believe we have accomplished or accumulated over our lifetime, it is all as a result of the grace and providence of God. The ABILITY AND THE WILLINGNESS TO GIVE are both gifts from God as well. The offerings we make to the Lord and the gifts we give to others in His name are possible only by His generosity to us.

Job realized that all things come from the Lord and He has a right to take anything back as well. We bless Him anyway! David gave God credit for all he had as well and acknowledged that the Lord reigns over it all (verse 12). All power is in His hand! We have nothing without the hand of God providing, withdrawing, directing, and correcting. We are without hope without God’s intervention. He gives and He takes away.

Our ABILITY AND THE WILLINGNESS TO GIVE reflects the appreciation we have for our gracious God. We have two basic commandments in life: love God and love our neighbor as we love ourselves. That love is reflected in how we honor the Source with the things we do with our resources. We live because He died; and lives again. We give because He gave…and keeps giving.