LifeWay Bible Studies for Life Series for June 5: What do you own?

Less than a month from now, we shall be celebrating a huge moment in our nation’s history: Independence Day. After years of unrest, our country’s founding fathers finally reached a day when the conditions of their home aligned with their vision of hope, prosperity and freedom. The signing of the Declaration of Independence changed the history of the world and finally consummated the dreams of an entire nation.

In 1 Chronicles, the same intensity of anticipation and victory filled the air as David began to gather and donate resources for the building of the temple. The Ark of the Covenant, the most important religious relic of the Israelite faith which served as the very presence of God among his people, had been located in some rather unworthy places.

Whether restricted to a temporary tabernacle tent in the wilderness, captured by the pagan hands of the Philistines (1 Samuel 4) or stored away in the house of Abinadab (1 Samuel 7:1), the Jewish people often failed to provide a place of honor and holiness which God’s ark deserved.
 
However, after wrestling through centuries of political and religious instability during the era of the Judges and the paranoid reign of Saul, God blessed the Davidic dynasty with the opportunity to finally construct a temple worthy of housing his presence. After the leaders of Israel followed David’s example and donated to the building of God’s temple, the king began to sing a song of praise.  

David’s melody of God’s power and greatness proved appropriate. Countless times, the Lord rescued both the entire nation of Israel and David himself from trials, oppression and near devastation. If not for the hand of God, the very opportunity to have a homeland and the financial capabilities to build a central place of worship for the community would have proven impossible.

David acknowledged all wealth originates from The Provider (1 Chronicles 29:12). In an American society which emphasizes hard work as the primary reason for financial success and stability, such words appear more theoretical than practical. The little voice inside of us screams: “But I went to college all those years. I worked all those hours. I made all those sacrifices to have what little I own.”  

We directly are involved and responsible for how our lives develop, but if not for God, we would not even have breath. Who granted the abilities you possess? Who placed you in a society where you could acquire a job, an education or skill training? Around the world, many never have a chance to earn a livable wage or even learn to read. The issue is not if God is responsible for our wealth, but rather if our pride allows us to see the reality of our own situation.

David raises a profound question: “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. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope” (1 Chronicles 29:15).

He is humbled by humanity’s short-term existence in comparison to God’s eternal reign over all things. People merely borrow the land and the resources of a God’s world for a short time like a sojourner staying briefly on a host’s property before he or she traveling on.  

Christians must look to use the resources of the Almighty for the bigger picture rather than allow the pressures of society to limit their vision. Often, the manner in which we use our financial resources can make an impact for God’s kingdom that surpasses our lifetimes. When David funded the temple, he knew the house of God would stand long after his or his son’s reign. The work of God would be known for generations.

David ends his prayer with a concern about the attitudes and intentions of the Israelite people. The leaders graciously gave to God (1 Chronicles 29:2-9), but the king was well aware of how such integrity could become compromised. David hoped the people kept their hearts aligned with God when dealing with their possessions, rather than allow other influences or sin to prevent them from giving with integrity.  

The Creator can see straight into our hearts, even when we have become too calloused or distracted to recognize our motivations. When we spend our resources or use our possessions to only satisfy our needs, our interests or our sense of security, God knows we use his money to fulfill our self-prescribed plans. We can even give to God via church offerings or charitable donations not because we wish to please God or advance the kingdom, but rather because the action improves our reputation, alleviates our sense of guilt or fulfills some sense of traditional duty.  

However, God desires a sacrifice of heart as well as material possessions (Psalm 51:17). He wants us to join him in his work and not reluctantly stuff money in a charity box. Giving to God without integrity or sincerity is not true worship. Mechanical, heartless giving does not impress the Creator.

We are not called to be hoarders. We are not called to keep our wealth for self interest. We are called to join God as coheirs and workers of the kingdom (Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 3:9). May we never forget who owns everything in our world. May we always use  God’s goods for God’s work.  

Questions for discussion

•    What possessions prove most difficult to return to God for the work of his kingdom?
 
•     How do you—both in words of praise and in actions of devotion and worship—acknowledge your possessions as coming from God?