Giving Back
I often use the word giving praise to the Lord for what He is doing and has done for all mankind. I am also committed to be a giver of my financial resources and my time for Kingdom work. I was reminded this morning that my giving is really “giving back”. I can look back on my life and I notice many people who invested in my life. There were teachers, preachers, Sunday School teachers and family members who taught me the joy of serving and giving to the Lord. I was taught the value of giving to the Lord. My parents taught me by example what it means to give to the Lord.
I came across an event near the end of King David’s life that really displayed his heart for the Lord. He is making an announcement to the nation of Israel that Solomon would be the next king. He also told them about all the supplies that he had gathered for the construction of the temple. He then told them that he was going to personally give to the Lord from his personal money. He asked the leaders to lead by example in giving. The people responded and they gave generously and wholeheartedly to the Lord. It was a joyous day and David was filled with joy. He couldn’t resist leading in praise to the Lord. Check this out….
10 Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly: “O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever!11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. 12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! 15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.
16 “O Lord our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you! 17 I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously. (1 Chronicles 29:10-17 NLT)
This passage reminded me that “one day our lives will pass, but only what is done for the Lord will last”. I am also reminded that God owns all that I have and I’m simply a manager of His stuff. When I give to the Lord, I’m really giving back what is already His. When I give, I’m also acknowledging that He owns it all. I want to consistently live out a life of generosity before the Lord. He has generously blessed me, and I’m honored to be His kid. I want my life of love and generosity to honor Him as I give back to Him in praise, honor and a life of surrender.
Pressing On!
Dwayne