May 17, 2016: SOAP #2357: 1Kings 2: 1Chron 29; Psalm 95; 2Thess 1

Scripture: 1Chronicles (NIV) 29:14 “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. 15 We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.

Observation: This prayer comes from the grateful heart of King David. The people had just given a super generous offering in preparations for the building of the temple. They had given gold, silver, bronze, iron, and precious stones. David realized that the reason the people could be so generous was because God had been so generous to them. They were only given what God had given them. It had belonged to God before they received it; it had belonged to God when it was in their hand; now it belongs to God because they had given it.

Application: What a joy to give. God provides for us both to live and to give. We can be thankful that we have sufficient to live. But it is extra special that God is letting us enjoy giving.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, like David, we know that all we have comes from you. We can only give what we have received from you. We pray that you find us faithful with what you entrust to us. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!