Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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“The Heart of a Generous Steward”  

Bible Reading:  1 Chronicles 29:10-18  

Key verse: : “O Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to You.”  


DEVOTION

Today’s Bible portion takes place right after King David gives his personal fortune for the building of God’s temple and encouraged the people to do so as well. They also gave above and beyond from their riches and as they all rejoiced together, David praised God with the prayer found in verses 10-13. David makes it a point to note that everything is God’s. “Yours is the greatness and the power, and the glory, and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours…wealth and honor come from You, You are the ruler of all things. Everything is God’s, and David goes on to say that everything that they have given for God’s temple is already His. “We have given you only what comes from your hand” 
Sometimes it is easy to look at our successes in life and the hard work we put in to earn these blessings. We DO work very hard to get to where we are, but we were never alone in that journey. God has been with us every step of the way, His providence ever present. With the abundance we are provided, we are required to give as well. Give our time, our presence, our gifts, our blessings to the furthering of God’s kingdom. This is our stewardship. 
Our intentions and what is in our heart matter. Cain gave an offering to God that was rejected because his heart was not in the right place for worship. Abel gave the best of what he had to offer. The poor widow who gave two small copper coins as an offering, “out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on” 
King David notes that everything we have is because of God’s grace. Knowing this, he gave his personal fortune for God’s temple, and so did everyone else. His prayer continued, knowing the importance of where his people’s hearts were in that moment, to ask God to keep that same energy in their hearts always. “keep this desire in the hearts of Your people forever.” Let us always remember our blessings and remember who provided these blessings. Let our hearts desire to bless God and others. 

PRAYER

Dear Lord, help us to remember that the blessings in our lives are given to us because of Your grace. Even the challenges we face are there because You place them before us. In our good and especially in the bad moments, help us to maintain a heart of worship. We may not have riches like David did, but we have plenty to offer You all the same. May our hearts and our intent be fixed on You. Amen  

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Be a cheerful giver 
 

Rena J Titus  
St. John’s Mar Thoma Church 

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