"The Joy of Giving"; June 21 Readings: 1 Chronicles 28-29, John 20, Psalm 75:7–10, Proverbs 15:23–24

By

 


 Through the Bible in 2021


Bible Readings:  1 Chronicles 28-29, John 20, Psalm 75:7–10, Proverbs 15:23–24  


Daily Devotional:  The Joy of Giving


In the good old days, there would be one or two weeks a year when a preacher might preach a "stewardship" sermon, which was little more than an appeal for members to open their wallets and give - more. Churches have often struggled with money and pastors have given appeals to their people to be more generous, more faithful.

One thing that was often absent from these pulpit appeals was the spirit demonstrated by King David in 1 Chronicles 29:10-19 when Israel was overwhelmed with generosity for the building of the Temple. David did not whine or wheedle but set forth the joy and glory of giving, of investing in the things of God.
But who am I and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? (29:14)
Is there any privilege greater than that of giving money, which is so often an idol and a distraction, to invest in eternal things? David realized this. So did Paul when he told the Corinthians about cheerful, joyful giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

David gives several reasons why giving is a great privilege and joy. In verse 14, he declares that since everything belongs to God we are just giving him what is his. Joyful, generous giving is a reminder to us that God, in fact, owns it all. It is a means of giving thanks and praise to God for his provision in all things.

In verse 17, David speaks of God testing our hearts. Giving - not the forced, manipulated, guilt-based kind that has been so often used in churches, but the joyful kind - is a marker of a pure heart of devotion for God. What greater privilege is there than to use our money to enable worship and the proclamation of God's glory?

Of course, the greatest reason to give is the reason David gave in verses 10-13.

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

It is great to give because our God is great, exalted over all things and the rightful owner and Lord of all that is. Giving is an act of praise and worship that demonstrates that we know that God is great.

Father, I thank you for the privilege of giving faithfully to honor you and make Christ known in the world. 

Consider God's Word:

Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?
Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?

Is giving a joy to you - investing in the Kingdom of God?
If not, why do you think it is not?
A famous preacher (my dad - famous to me) used to say that giving is a gauge of the heart. What does your giving say about you?



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Battle Begins" February 9 Readings: Numbers 31-36

By
Image
   Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Numbers 31-36 Background:    We wrap up our reading of Numbers today with another difficult reading. Chapter 31 tells of a war with Midian and then the journeys of Israel are recounted in detail. The boundaries of the Promised Land are spelled out - far larger than modern Israel. Then we read of the founding of the cities of refuge and the inheritance of Zelo...
Read more

"Not Many Wise" October 6 Readings: 1 Corinthians 1

By
Image
  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Corinthians 1 Background:    Introduction to the Book of 1 Corinthians Paul started a lot of churches. He had great churches like Philippi and Ephesus, who brought him constant joy, who demonstrated the fruit of the Spirit and a passion for the gospel. He had the Bereans who searched the Scriptures to see if what he preached was true. He started churches in Thess...
Read more

"He Prayed for ME!" September 2 Readings: John 17

By
Image
  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   John 17 Background:    John 17 is truly "The Lord's Prayer." This is the prayer that the Lord prayed the night before he died, pouring out his heart to the Father on behalf not only of his disciples but for all of us who would follow. Daily Devotional:   He Prayed for ME! The night before Jesus died, just before he agonized in the Gard...
Read more