Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Sharing God’s gift with Joy

Bible Reading: :1 Chronicles 29:10-18

Key verse: 14

“Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

DEVOTION

The historical context of this passage is Israel’s preparation for the construction of the Temple under Solomon, during the final days of David’s reign. It records David’s acknowledgement that God’s people can only give back what God has first given them, making it one of the Bible’s clearest expressions of stewardship, gratitude and worship.
David gathered the leaders of Israel and encouraged them to contribute resources like gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and precious stones for the future temple. People responded to David’s request generously. Generosity begins with the leader as David did not just ask the people for donations, he gave sacrificially from his own personal wealth first. These demonstrate that true leaders inspire others by setting a proactive model. Giving should be joyful and willing. People did not give out forcefully, but with a whole heart, which resulted in widespread rejoicing throughout the Community. It emphasizes that the attitude behind giving matters more than the amount. 
It would be argued that the massive amount David gathered for the building of the temple, that the gifts of the people were unnecessary. Yet David knew that it was important to give the people an opportunity to contribute more than the sake of the building project itself. Their giving was legitimate and important way to consecrate themselves to God. Our life involves shifting our mindset from self-reliance to recognizing God’s ultimate authority. It means practicing humble stewardship, treating the time, talents and treasures not as our own, but as gifts entrusted to us by God for His purpose. Instead of taking full credit for our career, finances or family, view ourself as a manager of God’s blessing. Our time, resources, abilities and opportunities are gifts from God. 
David spent the latter part of his life gathering resources for a building project, which he would never oversee. This illustrates the importance of laying foundations and investing in the success of the next generation. David gave everything because he loved the house of God. We naturally give to and support which we love. Rather than praising the people for their generosity, David directs glory to God, recognizing that everything they gave came from God in the first place.
This passage teaches us on joyful generosity, humble stewardship and servant leadership. It highlights that King David led an example to fund for the temple and his famous prayer acknowledging that everything we possess ultimately belong to God alone. God owns everything in Heaven and Earth, wealth and honor come from God, power and strength belong to God alone. David’s prayer is unusual because he refuses to claim glory for himself, he publicly declares that all honor, power and resources belong to God. David’s final prayer is that our hearts should remain committed to God and the future generation would continue in faithfulness. Genuine worship comes from a willing and joyful heart.
 

PRAYER

Our Heavenly father, help us to have deep faith in you to receive the grace of your salvation. Strengthen our roots in you for us to have a healthy spiritual life. Renew our hearts with humility, to lead a life that is pleasing to you.


Thought for the DAY

 Your actions should be determined not by the desire of the people around you, but by the needs of all mankind. By Leo Tolstoy

                                                   Dr Mariamma John, Epiphany MTC NY                                                             

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more