I've been watching Live from Liberty on Daystar and reading my Bible on breaks. I got in on the last of a series of teachings by Pastor Jonathan Falwell of Thomas Road Baptist Church, so it was good but would liked to have heard the preceding messages as well.
Something that struck me in my Bible reading was a passage in 1st Chronicles that to me really shows what God wants from us as we give back to Him. So many churches seem to me to focus on tithing rather than teaching joyful giving, but I believe God calls us to the latter.
In Chapter 29, King David is talking about the gifts that have been given for building the temple. In verses 10-13 David prays, recognizing God's sovereignty and power and acknowledging that all wealth and honor come from Him. Then he continues:
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Evertyhing comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. ... O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. ...keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you." (1 Chronicles 29:14-18)
David was such an interesting character - he did some incredibly bad things yet God loved him and raised him up and forgave him because his repentance was real. What I"ll think about this week: Is my repentance real? Am I giving joyfully?
