2 words. 4 syllables 13 letters. How can that short of a phrase have such an impact as to make me write a whole blog post about it? How is it so important that I highlighted, underlined, drew arrows, and put a glittery star beside it?
I've read these verses before and just kept going. It never jumped out at me. But God always shows us what we need to see, and the other night, this make me stop in my tracks. This verse comes from 1 Chronicles 29:6. This chapter is discussing King David giving his personal treasures for the temple that Solomon was going to be building. At the end of verse 5, David asks, "Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?" Here's where it gets really good. Verse 6 says Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly.
GAVE WILLINGLY.
(picture me stopping and saying, "Whoa") ('cause that's exactly what happened)
It doesn't say they gave begrudgingly. It doesn't say King David had to twist their arms for them to give. They did it on their own. And they didn't do it for them, they did it for the Lord.
I've probably skimmed over this verse because I think I give willingly, too. When I got my first big girl job this summer, I started tithing my 10%. No one had to ask me to, I just did it. That's willingly, right? True, it is what we consider willingly. But I don't think that's what the Bible meant by willingly here. When I tithe, I do it because the Bible tells me to. I do it because I know it's the right thing to do. I do it because I was taught that way. Which are all great reasons. But have I ever given God His 10% solely because I love Him? Has that ever been my reasoning behind why I give?
These people knew they needed to give to build the temple of God. They knew it was the right thing to do. But I don't think that's why they did it. I don't even think they thought about "it's the right thing to do." And I bet they didn't do it for themselves-they didn't do it so they'd have somewhere nice to worship. No, they did it because they loved the Lord so much that they wanted to give back to Him in any way they could. They had been blessed so much that they wanted to show God their thanks by giving. I understand that concept, and I think about that when I tithe. I think about how God has blessed me with a job and income and so the least I can do is give part of it back. But I don't think I ever willingly give the way these people did.
And it's not just about giving your money. How much of our time do we willingly give? And not just willingly, but WILLINGLY? I'm giving up my free time to help at Vacation Bible School this summer. No one had to beg me to. I don't dread it. But am I doing it because I love the Lord, or am I doing it because I know they'll need help and I know it's the right thing to do?
Verse 9: The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
Verse 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.
Verses 17-18: I know, My God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy ho willingly your people who are here have given to you. Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.
They were STOKED that everyone was giving freely and wholeheartedly! How awesome would it be if the church (local or universal) started giving their money, time, and efforts truly willingly? What if everything we did was because we love the Lord so much? We'd be just as stoked as these people were! God has given us everything, so why can't we give back what is rightfully His?
I'm sure this will step on some toes (as most of my posts probably do), but trust me, I've stomped on mine first. I'm not trying to preach at anyone, but I was moved by what God said to me, and it's no good if I don't share it with others. (We wouldn't have all the wonderful Psalms if David hadn't shared what God said to him). I'm going learn how to GIVE WILLINGLY because the Lord has done great things in my life and He deserves much more than I could ever give.
I've read these verses before and just kept going. It never jumped out at me. But God always shows us what we need to see, and the other night, this make me stop in my tracks. This verse comes from 1 Chronicles 29:6. This chapter is discussing King David giving his personal treasures for the temple that Solomon was going to be building. At the end of verse 5, David asks, "Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?" Here's where it gets really good. Verse 6 says Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly.
GAVE WILLINGLY.
(picture me stopping and saying, "Whoa") ('cause that's exactly what happened)
It doesn't say they gave begrudgingly. It doesn't say King David had to twist their arms for them to give. They did it on their own. And they didn't do it for them, they did it for the Lord.
I've probably skimmed over this verse because I think I give willingly, too. When I got my first big girl job this summer, I started tithing my 10%. No one had to ask me to, I just did it. That's willingly, right? True, it is what we consider willingly. But I don't think that's what the Bible meant by willingly here. When I tithe, I do it because the Bible tells me to. I do it because I know it's the right thing to do. I do it because I was taught that way. Which are all great reasons. But have I ever given God His 10% solely because I love Him? Has that ever been my reasoning behind why I give?
These people knew they needed to give to build the temple of God. They knew it was the right thing to do. But I don't think that's why they did it. I don't even think they thought about "it's the right thing to do." And I bet they didn't do it for themselves-they didn't do it so they'd have somewhere nice to worship. No, they did it because they loved the Lord so much that they wanted to give back to Him in any way they could. They had been blessed so much that they wanted to show God their thanks by giving. I understand that concept, and I think about that when I tithe. I think about how God has blessed me with a job and income and so the least I can do is give part of it back. But I don't think I ever willingly give the way these people did.
And it's not just about giving your money. How much of our time do we willingly give? And not just willingly, but WILLINGLY? I'm giving up my free time to help at Vacation Bible School this summer. No one had to beg me to. I don't dread it. But am I doing it because I love the Lord, or am I doing it because I know they'll need help and I know it's the right thing to do?
Verse 9: The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
Verse 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.
Verses 17-18: I know, My God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy ho willingly your people who are here have given to you. Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.
They were STOKED that everyone was giving freely and wholeheartedly! How awesome would it be if the church (local or universal) started giving their money, time, and efforts truly willingly? What if everything we did was because we love the Lord so much? We'd be just as stoked as these people were! God has given us everything, so why can't we give back what is rightfully His?
I'm sure this will step on some toes (as most of my posts probably do), but trust me, I've stomped on mine first. I'm not trying to preach at anyone, but I was moved by what God said to me, and it's no good if I don't share it with others. (We wouldn't have all the wonderful Psalms if David hadn't shared what God said to him). I'm going learn how to GIVE WILLINGLY because the Lord has done great things in my life and He deserves much more than I could ever give.