The Motivation For Giving To God
David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
"Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
. . . Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 1 Chronicles 29:10-16
"Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
. . . Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 1 Chronicles 29:10-16
The temple of God was about to be built and the nation of Israel was galvanized to participate. David set the example by giving an immense amount of resources from his personal treasures. The leaders, officials and heads of families were equally motivated to give. The response was simply overwhelming! David was so filled with joy that he offered a prayer of gratitude and praise to God.The prayer of David gives us an insight into the basis of true giving.
True giving to God is motivated and informed by some of the following:
First: God owns and controls everything we have and enjoy on earth. This means whatever we give to God comes directly from His hand. It is, therefore, a privilege to give back of our time, talents and treasures to the One who makes it possible for us to have those things in the first place. Possessing such an understanding, makes it possible to give freely to God.
Second: Wealth and honor come from God. If God does not elevate us, we are totally incapable of ascending to honor on our own. If God does not give us the ability to obtain wealth, we would not have what it takes to do that in our own strength. In fact, the very breadth and health we have to acquire wealth is a gracious gift from God. Such an understanding should motivate us to give to God with profound gratitude.
Finally: The prayer of David reminds us of the brevity of life on earth. We are foreigners who are bound to depart this earth at some point. We are like fleeting shadows who can leave no permanent marks on this earth. We must hold lightly to material things and invest in the purposes of God which is the only thing that is eternal.
The subject of giving is a rather sensitive one because of abuse and misappropriation but it should not negate the joy and power of giving. When our giving is properly motivated as seen in the prayer of David, we will be encouraged to give generously to God.
True giving to God is motivated and informed by some of the following:
First: God owns and controls everything we have and enjoy on earth. This means whatever we give to God comes directly from His hand. It is, therefore, a privilege to give back of our time, talents and treasures to the One who makes it possible for us to have those things in the first place. Possessing such an understanding, makes it possible to give freely to God.
Second: Wealth and honor come from God. If God does not elevate us, we are totally incapable of ascending to honor on our own. If God does not give us the ability to obtain wealth, we would not have what it takes to do that in our own strength. In fact, the very breadth and health we have to acquire wealth is a gracious gift from God. Such an understanding should motivate us to give to God with profound gratitude.
Finally: The prayer of David reminds us of the brevity of life on earth. We are foreigners who are bound to depart this earth at some point. We are like fleeting shadows who can leave no permanent marks on this earth. We must hold lightly to material things and invest in the purposes of God which is the only thing that is eternal.
The subject of giving is a rather sensitive one because of abuse and misappropriation but it should not negate the joy and power of giving. When our giving is properly motivated as seen in the prayer of David, we will be encouraged to give generously to God.
Prayer: Father, I thank you for the blessings you have so generously endowed my life with. Please help me to give generously to you with the proper motivation and understanding. Amen.