1 Chronicles 29:16-17 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. 17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. 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.
Chapter twenty-nine describes part of the preparations made by David for the building of Solomon's Temple. This first temple built for God would far out pace the cost and the beauty of the Tabernacle. This would be one of the most fabulous structures ever erected for any purpose. It seems strange to find such an edifice being erected according to the pattern God had shown David (1 Chronicles 28:12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:) when there is such a cry against designated meeting places for local churches today. Clearly God has had meeting places for local churches erected for beauty and holiness from the very beginning.
How did God finance this great undertaking? According to verses sixteen and seventeen it was through the gracious giving of God's people. Another amazing happening considering the resounding cry today against any form of consistent systematic giving. How could they give so freely and abundantly for nothing more than a building project? In verse fifteen we find the answer. They knew that what they possessed was not their own, but it had come from God and belonged to God. This understanding put things in perspective. They were not giving their money and goods but simply returning God's money and goods to Him for His use. The opposition to consistent systematic giving has nothing to do with law and grace. Stinginess is the direct result of forgetting we are only stewards. What steward would spend more of his Master's wealth on his own personal business than the Master's business?
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Daily Devotional - Mark 9:14-32 Healing By Faith
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