Giving What One Desires To Give
Introduction
One of the most informative, instructional, and inspirational passages in all of scripture is found in the 28th & 29th Chapters of this book. David and his people were confronted with a challenge that was similar to the one facing us. They had an
opportunity to build the House of God and we have an opportunity to build the Kingdom of God. They faced an opportunity and moment of a lifetime and God’s hand was upon them.
CHALLENGING OBSTACLE OR CONFRONTED WITH AN OPPORTUNITY?
According to the National and International Religion Report, the average Mormon gives over 7% of his or her income to the church. That’s more than any orthodox Christian denomination. What’s more, the wealthiest 20% of American Christians give a smaller portion of their income to their church than the poorest 20%. Those in high income brackets give an average of 1.6% (98.4% kept) of their income annually. Those in the low bracket give 3.4% (96.6% kept) annually.
Dr. J.H. Jowett said, “Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.”
Dr. Roy Lauren tells of a Christian businessman traveling to Korea, “In a field by the side of the road was a young man pulling a plow while an old man held the handles. The businessman was amused and took a snapshot of the scene. ‘That is curious! I suppose these people are very poor,’ he said to the missionary who was interpreter and guide to the party. ‘Yes,’ was the quiet reply, ‘those two men happen to be Christians. When their church was being built, they were eager to give something toward it; but they had no money. So they decided to sell their one and only ox and give the proceeds to the church. This spring they are pulling the plow themselves.’
The businessman was silent for some moments. Then he said, ‘That must have been a real sacrifice.’ ‘They did not call it that,’ said the missionary. ‘They rather thought it was fortunate that they had an ox to sell.’ Needless to say, the businessman was silent. When he reached home, however, he took the picture to his pastor and told him all about it. Then he added, ‘I want to double my giving to the church, and do some plow work. Up until now I have never given God anything that involved real sacrifice.’”
Here in God’s Word we have a pattern. We find principles that lead to commitment in giving.
I. THE REVELATION OF DAVID’S MOTIVE. 1-4
David is about to give an offering and receive an offering.
GREAT QUESTION: Why?
A. GOD-CAUSED.
God had initiated the need of the temple.
1 Chronicles 28:19: “All this," said David, "the LORD made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans."
1 Chronicles 28:10: “Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it."
God had caused the need and had given
David the plan for carrying it out.
B. GOD-CENTERED.
1 Chronicles 29:1: “Furthermore King David said to all the assembly: "My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced; and the work is great, because the temple is not for man but for the LORD God.”
“for the Lord God”
“work is great” – do you know why some people in some churches never give of their resources willingly and joyfully? They do not believe the work is great.
C. GOD’S CHALLENGE.
This opportunity before us is an invitation from God for each of us to discover how wonderfully God can provide.
II. THE INVITATION TO GOD’S PEOPLE. 5-7
“Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the Lord?”
The Macedonians of 2 Corinthians Chapter 8 used the same approach as David.
2 Corinthians 8:5: “And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.”
Of first priority to the Macedonians was to present themselves as sacrifices to God. Generous giving follows personal dedication and surrender.
David served as God’s man as an Encourager and Example. He encouraged the people to give and led out in giving as an example. Why?
v.3 “because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.”
The Bible says in v.6 they “offered willingly.”
THIS IS THE KEY!
Here is the key to all freewill giving; giving what one desires to give. This is voluntary giving from the heart to the Lord and His work. This is biblical giving, giving God whatever one is willing to give, based on devotion to Him and His glory
III. THE MOTIVATON OF THEIR GIVING. 9-10
This verse is a testimony of God at work in an individual’s heart; it always affects the hand.
People rejoiced – they offered willingly
Loyal heart – offered willingly
v.10 “David blessed the Lord” – He had worked in the people!
IV. THE EXALTATION OF THEIR GOD. 11-15
David responds to the phenomenal offering expressing sacrifices of wealth with praise in which he acknowledges that all things belong to and come from God. This magnificent prayer and praise of thanks gives God all credit, even for the people’s generosity.
HYMN: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
“All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.”
James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
V THE EXPLANATION OF THEIR GIFTS. 14b
“For all things come from You and of Your own we have given You.”
Everything I have to give, He gave me
Time
Talents
Treasure
ILLUSTRATION: Some of the most precious gifts to receive are gifts given to you that were given to the giver.
Also, some of the most precious gifts to give are gifts given to you that were given to the giver.
EXPLAIN: Anything I give, I received!
VI. THE EXAMINATION OF THEIR HEARTS. 16-18
Opportunities for giving to God are tests of the character of a believer’s devotion to the Lord. The attitude of one’s heart is significantly more important than the amount of offering in one’s hand.
VII. THE PROSTRATION OF THE PEOPLE. 20
The ultimate physical expression of an inward submission to God in all things.
CONCLUSION
We can give now to God’s glory and for the benefit of all those who come behind us. This ministry is not for men but for God, and the work is great. Remember, our hearts always follow our treasure.
Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”