Day 91
Observation
Years of ruling the nation and getting into and out of trouble have taken their toll on David, leaving him faint in battle and feeble in old age. But though David can no longer pursue the enemy, problems continue to pursue him to the very end of his reign. A broken treaty with the Gibeonites results in three years of famine; a sinful census leads to the deaths of 70,000 Israelites. But in each case, David repents of his sinful ways and assumes the familiar posture of a worshiper of God—the hallmark of his life. To the end of his days David remains a man after God's own heart.
Application
When called upon to support the work of God with your money, do you give till it hurts or it hurt when you give?
David provides a valuable model in the matter of giving. When God plagued the Israelites because of David's proud census, the prophet Gad told David to set up an altar on Araunah's property, or at least to accept Araunah's offer of free animals and wood for the sacrifice. But David refused, knowing that such an offering would not be pleasing to God, "I will not have it as a gift. I will buy it, for I don't want to offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing" (24:25).
Examine your own offerings to the Lord your God. Do you tend to give superficially or sacrificially? Are your gifts the overflow of a grateful heart? As you look forward to your next paycheck, why not plan to increase the amount you give to your charity you support. And remember, if you can't give it cheerfully, don't give it grudgingly, "for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
David provides a valuable model in the matter of giving. When God plagued the Israelites because of David's proud census, the prophet Gad told David to set up an altar on Araunah's property, or at least to accept Araunah's offer of free animals and wood for the sacrifice. But David refused, knowing that such an offering would not be pleasing to God, "I will not have it as a gift. I will buy it, for I don't want to offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing" (24:25).
Examine your own offerings to the Lord your God. Do you tend to give superficially or sacrificially? Are your gifts the overflow of a grateful heart? As you look forward to your next paycheck, why not plan to increase the amount you give to your charity you support. And remember, if you can't give it cheerfully, don't give it grudgingly, "for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Prayer
Oh it is said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." Lord, teach us to be cheerful givers and understand life is better as a giver. Make a believer out of us. In your son's Jesus name, amen!
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| Be Cheerful Givers! |
© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2019
