By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
1 Chronicles 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…" - NIV
King David led Israel into a resource mobilisation drive to build the temple towards the end of kingship. He gave very generously from personal wealth towards this work. He acknowledged that all that he had: greatness and power, glory and majesty, wealth and honour, everything, come from Him. In their generosity towards this work, whatever they gave was simply giving back to God what came from Him.
Many people behave like what they have is their own. This explains the pride and boasting of what one has. We are all stewards of whatever we have, including life itself. It was given to us. God asks us to voluntarily give back what came from Him as an act of worship and gratitude recognising that it all came from Him and is all His. That’s what David realized and freely, cheerfully and heartily released it back to God the Giver. This should form another foundational basis for any giving.
God cautioned Israel not to think that their hardwork, intellect and abilities gave them the blessings they had. Instead they were to ever remember that it’s God who gives power to make wealth and acquire the possessions they would get (Deut 8:18). The earth and its fulness, including all people, belong to God, whether people acknowledge it or not. He gave usife and these things to glorify Him and for our enjoyment. It’s all His and we are His! Why withhold from the Owner?
Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it"
Shalom children of God.