"From Your Hand"

(1 Chronicles 23-29)

King David is getting up in years. He is told by God that he will not build His temple becasue he had been a man of war. I am reminded of Moses and the price he paid for his sin. Both men had been great servants of God, yet both were not allowed to accomplish their heart's intent. There is a great lesson to be learned from both men about service to God and submitting to His will above our own.
David calls together the "top dogs" in Israel to tell them about the plans for the temple and to give Solomon the charge to build it. He tells him that "the LORD had chosen him to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work". (28:10) David tells all those gathered that he had committed "all his resources" to the project and then invites them to join in the effort. David gives us a lesson in leadership. He gave first and he gave all he had. The people responded by giving generously of all they had.
David response with prayer and praise to the LORD. Chapter 29, verses 10-13 contain beautiful words of worship as he exalts God. (please take the time to read it) After his prayer and praise are finished, we are given his thoughts on giving to God. 
“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. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent." (1 Chron 29: 14-17)
David calls our attention to the fact that all we have and all we give to God is already His. He tells us that "everything comes from" Him and that when we give we have given "only what comes from" His hand. The first lesson he brings us is a lesson in ownership. We might think that we own our cars, our homes, our "stuff", but he reminds us that it "all" really belongs to the LORD. That understanding really frees us to be generous towards God when we realize that it is His already. The second lesson he calls us to is about testing. Our giving is a test of our hearts. Integrity demands that we honor our financial commitments to God and when we do, He is pleased. David says, "All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent". We are tested when we give. Do we give "willingly"? Is it with "honest intent"? Our hearts are revealed in how we give. Are we excited or do we feel compelled? Do we give in hopes of receiving more back from God? What is our intent?
Next Sunday moning, when the plate goes by, pause for a moment and check your feelings as you bring your offering to God. Are you excited to be able to participate in the collection of God's people? Do you recognize that you are only giving God what is already His? David prays that God would "keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever". I like that, he prayed for you and me. The question for us is....is "that desire in our hearts"?