Eight “Right Things” Concerning Giving to the Lord
by Pastor Tim Gresham
Text: 1 Chronicles 29:1-16
Welcome to another Sunday of Stewardship Emphasis!
Before I begin, I’d like to tell you of
A little girl who became restless in church as the preacher’s sermon dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, “Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?”
Introduction: David has been engaged in preparing his son, Solomon, to take his throne as king of Israel. He has been preparing the material to build the temple he promised to have built for the Lord. Now we find him preparing the people of Israel to accept Solomon as king, the endeavor to build the temple, and to give sacrificially to see that is happens.
I. The Right Perspective (Vs 1)
“…the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.”
“A little boy in church for the first time watched as the ushers passed around the offering plates. When they came near his pew, the boy said loudly, ‘Don’t pay for me Daddy. I’m under five.’” – January 14, 2004 issue of the Baptist Progress First Time Ushers
Cp Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
Our whole purpose in giving and faithful stewardship is not to please man or to receive honor from man.
Our whole purpose in giving and faithful stewardship is to please the Lord and to bring honor to His Name.
Cp Deuteronomy 16:10, “And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the Lord thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the Lord thy God, according as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee.”
A lot of misconceptions about the purpose of the church and the integrity of the church could be avoided if the church had the right perspective for giving.
Cp 1 Corinthians 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
Cp Matthew 25:14-15, “[14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. [15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.”
II. The Right Degree (Vs 2)
“Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God…”
God commands us to give.
Grace comes in when we realize God did not demand a set amount. He commanded it to be in proportion to our ability.
However, when we come to the place in our Christian walk where we give with a cheerful heart (2 Cor. 9:7), we should know that we need to give it our all – the entirety of our being.
Cp Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might...”
Cp Colossians 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
III. The Right Direction of Interests (Vs 3a)
“…I have set my affection to the house of my God…”
Christian, where do your interests lie?
Cp Colossians 3:1-4, “[1] If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
Christian, where do your affections lie?
Cp Matthew 6:19-21, “[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Jesus gives us a principle in verse 21 of Matthew 6. If your heart is with the things of this world, where moth and rust corrupt, then that is where your treasures is. If your heart is with the things of the Lord, Heavenly things, things that please Him, then your treasure will be there.
IV. The Right Example (Vs 3b-5a)
“…I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house…”
David here sets the right example as he dedicates, not only what he has already laid by in store, but has given over and above what he anticipated or promised God or others.
You can do the same thing. (Give example of giving to such endeavors as Revival, Missions, Building Fund, Youth Activities, etc.)
V. The Right Question (Vs 5b)
“And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?”
The phrase “consecrate his service” literally means, “fill his hand.”
The question could be understood as “Who then is willing to fill his hand this day unto the Lord?”
The question is still asked of God’s people today?
Are you willing to “fill your hand” to the Lord?
Are you willing to “consecrate” your all to the Lord?
You know, when you give your all to the Lord, then 10% doesn’t seem all that much anymore.
VI. The Right Response (Vss 6-8)
“Then the chief of the fathers…princes of the tribes…captains…with the rulers…offered willingly, And gave for the service of the house of God.”
The leaders of Israel responded by matching the spirit of giving of David, their King.
Cp Exodus 35:21&29, “[21] And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
[29] The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.”
What is your response today?
Do you have a willing heart?
VII. The Right Result (Vs 9)
“Then the people rejoiced…”
Because they offered willingly
Because they offered willingly with a perfect heart.
And David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
There is a reason why God wants us to give.
He wants us to be faithful in giving so that it would be returned through blessing.
Remember the principle of sowing and reaping:
2 Corinthians 9:6, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
Remember that He gives to us so that we may give more back to Him.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8, 11, “[7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. [8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
[11] Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.”
The more we are willing to give, the more He blesses.
The more He blesses, the more we are able to give.
The more we are able to give, the more He is praised.
VIII. The Right Honor (Vss 10-16)
“Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation…”
Notice the cycle of giving, receiving, and blessing.
It starts with the right perspective. It is “for the Lord.”
It moves full swing from
Ø The Right Perspective (for the Lord)
Ø The Right Degree (all my might)
Ø The Right Direction of Affections
Ø The Right Example of David
Ø The Right Question for the People
Ø The Right Response of Giving
Ø The Right Result of Rejoicing
Ø The Right Honor Given to the Lord
Conclusion: Cp Revelation 5:12-13, “[12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. [13] And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
What is your attitude in giving?
Does it reflect your attitude toward the Lord what He has done for you?
