1 Chronicles 29:9 “Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.”

A CHEERFUL GIVER

David, Solomon and the leaders of Israel are celebrating.  Why?  Because they had just pledged to give generously to build the temple.  Can you just picture the scene?  They are all gathered.  David announces the challenge gift he is giving and asks them to step up to the challenge.  They do, and everyone rejoices.

Just recently at the church I serve someone gave a $75,000 challenge gift and asked the rest of the body to match it.  We experienced the same kind of excitement.  People are stepping up to the challenge.  This, too, is being done towards the completion of our church building.

TEACHING MOMENT

One of the most important things we can teach our children is how to give.  Giving is liberating.  Giving is exciting.  Giving is contagious.  When you give your children money to put in the offering plate or to turn in for a mission offering, they get excited.  Children love to give.  Help them do that.

Most of our children here in America, at least in our church, are so blessed.  They take much for granted.  We are thankful for blessings from the Lord, but we must teach our children how to give generously to help those who are less fortunate.  There are all kinds of ways to give, but putting those coins and bills in the plate can do so much for the kingdom.

You are probably reading this and are thinking, “This is NOT why I read your devotional, Carl.  If I want to be put under guilt to give I will just go to church.”  Well, don’t blame me.  The passage today was written by the Holy Spirit, not me.  Take it up with the Lord.  He obviously wanted this event recorded for us to read and to challenge us to do the same.

Why don’t you take this opportunity to examine not just what you give, but why you give?  I love the fact that the verse says “the people rejoiced,” “they…offered…willingly,” “with a whole heart.”  Can you say the same?

O, Giver of all things, give me a heart to give.  Give me a generous heart.  Show me the blessing I am to others, including my children, by giving how You want me to give.