Clap for the Offering

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 29

Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly. (1 Chronicles 29.9)

Devotional Thought: I recently attended a church service in which the pastor announced a $500,000 gift toward a student center for their K-12 school and their youth ministry.  The congregation broke out in spontaneous applause!  We see the same thing happening in another, ancient building program - the Old Testament temple.

1 Chronicles 29 details the gifts given by King David and other leaders toward the building of the temple in Jerusalem.  David said, "I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, and because of my devotion ... I give it to the house of my God" (v. 3).  Then he challenged his leadership team, "Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the Lord?" (v. 5).  Due to the example and challenge of David, the leaders responded generously themselves.  Then something wonderful happened: having witnessed the generosity of their leaders, "the people rejoiced greatly."  Later they themselves offered sacrifices to the Lord, but at this point their response was pure joy and celebration!

Two questions come to mind...

• When I see the generosity of others, am I jealous or excited?  It's easy in these situations to experience recognition envy. "Well, of course they can give like that.  They have lots to give.  Me?  I don't have anything."  Envy stalks at our heart's door and we must consciously and purposefully replace it with joy and gratitude.

• When others see my generosity, are they prompted to give God joyful praise, and are they challenged to be generous themselves?  If others see a miserly giver, they will be tempted to be miserly themselves.  But when they see a cheerful giver, they will want to experience the same blessings!

So, the next time the offering plate is passed - break out in praise and rejoicing!

Prayer: Father, I rejoice greatly that your people are so generous to the work of God.  Help me to be generous myself, and may my giving be cause for glory to God and generosity on the part of others.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 48:9-14

9 We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.

10 As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness.

11 Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments!

12 Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers,

13 consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation

14 that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.