ODJ: The God Who Gives

January 19, 2018 

READ: 1 Chronicles 29:10-17 

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours (v.11).

Many organisations have benefited from the charitable donations of the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation, which has funded student grants, universities, medical centres and much more. When the head of the foundation, John Rogers, was asked for his motivation for giving, he said this: “You can’t take it with you. I am a custodian of the money God has given me.” This generous spirit was directly derived from the generosity of God Himself.

David made a similar connection in a prayer recorded in the book of 1 Chronicles. In chapter 29, the people of Israel were taking an offering to build the temple, collecting all the precious stones and materials they could muster. King David himself donated lots of silver and gold to its construction, which inspired others to give generously as well (vv.3,6).

But immediately after this amazing moment of corporate generosity, David redirected all the attention to God (v.10), worshipping Him by saying, “Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!” (v.14). David reminded the people that even though it appeared they had given generously, God is ultimately the ruler and owner of all things. Acknowledging God’s ownership over all things once more—“This material we have gathered . . . comes from you!” (v.16)—David used this truth to inspire all the people of Israel to give generously.

As revealed in the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30), we don’t own anything. Instead, we’re God’s stewards, giving out of what He’s placed in our hands. So let’s give generously, knowing we’re simply passing on what God has lavished on us.

—Peter Chin

365-day plan: Genesis 29:14-30