Twice (at least) David asks the question, "Who am I?" The first time (II Sam. 7:18 and I Chron.17:16) he is marvelling at God's blessing. God has chosen him to be king of Israel and is promising to establish his family line forever. This is fulfilled when, a thousand years later, Jesus, our eternal King, comes - born in the line of David. David marvels that God is blessing him so generously!
Many of us can identify with the sentiment of this "who am I?" In my life I have often felt this way. "Who am I" to be blessed with great health; a wonderful wife for 43 years; for the privilege of serving in full time ministry; for being allowed to serve in Vietnam; etc. The many blessings of God, undeserved, cause us to say to our Heavenly Father - "Who am I?"
In wonderful contrast, the second "who am I" catches us by surprise. King David is preparing great supplies to provide for the building of the temple. It will be known by his son's name: "Solomon's Temple". But David provides huge resource for the temple. After much material has been collected, David publicly proclaims that he is generously giving a huge amount of gold and silver out of his personal treasure. Then he asks: "Now who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?"
The leaders in Israel respond to what is really a challenge to give, with great generosity and joy, giving "wholeheartedly to the Lord."(I Chron. 29:6 - 9)
Then we hear David say: "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." (I Chron. 29:14)
The first time, David marvels at God's blessing. The second time he is marvelling at how he and all the people can give so much because of God's blessing. Their generous giving to God displays God'a rich generosity to them.
When we are able (and of course when we make the choice) to give a generous amount of money, it is only because God has allowed us to have so much money. When we give a large amount of money, there should be no pride. Rather in humility, knowing how many people live in deep poverty, we should be feeling, if not saying: "Who am I, Lord, that I have the resources to be able to give thousands of dollars (or whatever your currency) to the church; to help with poverty and justice issues. I can give this way only because you have blessed me. Many Christians with very limited incomes, give sacrificially - but their gifts are very small. I however have been given so much by You, that I am able to give this much."
"What a privilege, thank you for the privilege it is to be given much so that I can turn and give much". We should be marvelling at, and enjoying the blessing of giving generously!
Many of us can identify with the sentiment of this "who am I?" In my life I have often felt this way. "Who am I" to be blessed with great health; a wonderful wife for 43 years; for the privilege of serving in full time ministry; for being allowed to serve in Vietnam; etc. The many blessings of God, undeserved, cause us to say to our Heavenly Father - "Who am I?"
In wonderful contrast, the second "who am I" catches us by surprise. King David is preparing great supplies to provide for the building of the temple. It will be known by his son's name: "Solomon's Temple". But David provides huge resource for the temple. After much material has been collected, David publicly proclaims that he is generously giving a huge amount of gold and silver out of his personal treasure. Then he asks: "Now who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?"
The leaders in Israel respond to what is really a challenge to give, with great generosity and joy, giving "wholeheartedly to the Lord."(I Chron. 29:6 - 9)
Then we hear David say: "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." (I Chron. 29:14)
The first time, David marvels at God's blessing. The second time he is marvelling at how he and all the people can give so much because of God's blessing. Their generous giving to God displays God'a rich generosity to them.
When we are able (and of course when we make the choice) to give a generous amount of money, it is only because God has allowed us to have so much money. When we give a large amount of money, there should be no pride. Rather in humility, knowing how many people live in deep poverty, we should be feeling, if not saying: "Who am I, Lord, that I have the resources to be able to give thousands of dollars (or whatever your currency) to the church; to help with poverty and justice issues. I can give this way only because you have blessed me. Many Christians with very limited incomes, give sacrificially - but their gifts are very small. I however have been given so much by You, that I am able to give this much."
"What a privilege, thank you for the privilege it is to be given much so that I can turn and give much". We should be marvelling at, and enjoying the blessing of giving generously!
No comments:
Post a Comment