The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. 1 Chronicles 29:9
Researchers tell us there’s a link between generosity and joy: those who give their money and time to others are happier than those who don’t. This has led one psychologist to conclude, “Let’s stop thinking about giving as a moral obligation, and start thinking of it as a source of pleasure.”
While giving can make us happy, I question whether happiness should be the goal. If we’re only generous to people or causes that make us feel good, what about the more difficult or mundane needs requiring our support?
Scripture links generosity with joy too, but on a different basis. After giving his own wealth toward building the temple, King David invited the Israelites to also donate (1 Chronicles 29:1–5). The people responded generously, giving gold, silver, and precious stones joyously (vv. 6–8). But notice what their joy was over: “The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord” (v. 9, italics added). Scripture never tells us to give because it will make us happy but to give willingly and wholeheartedly to meet a need. Joy often follows.
As missionaries know, it can be easier to raise funds for evangelism than for administration because believers in Jesus like the feeling of funding frontline work. Let’s be generous toward other needs as well. After all, Jesus freely gave Himself to meet our needs (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Read: 1 Chronicles 29:1-9 (NIV)
Gifts for Building the Temple
29 1 Then King David said to the whole assembly:
“My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced.i
The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God.
2 With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—goldj
for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze,
iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise,a k
stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities.l
3 Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my
personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God,
over and above everything I have providedm for this holy temple:
4 three thousand talentsb of gold (gold of Ophir)n
and seven thousand talentsc of refined silver,o
for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings,
5 for the gold work and the silver work,
and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen.
Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?”
6 Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel,
the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds,
and the officialsp in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.q
7 Theyr gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talentsd
and ten thousand daricse of gold, ten thousand talentsf of silver,
eighteen thousand talentsg of bronze and a hundred thousand talentsh of iron.
8 Anyone who had precious stoness gave them to the treasury of
the temple of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite.t
9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders,
for they had given freely and wholeheartedlyu to the Lord.
David the king also rejoiced greatly.
INSIGHT
- Why do you think generosity and joy are connected?
- What “unexciting” need could benefit from your generous giving?
In addition to David inviting the people to give toward the construction of the temple, 1 Chronicles 29 also shows him passing the throne on to Solomon, whom the people accept as their new king (vv. 21–28). David’s life, as well as his rule, was marked by bloody conflict, but Solomon—whose name comes from the Hebrew word for “peace”—would have a very different kind of rule. The “golden age” of Solomon would see Israel attain an unprecedented prosperity and influence as the wisdom of the king gained renown throughout the ancient Near East. Additionally, Solomon’s reign was marked by extensive building projects, including the temple and his own palace (constructed over some thirteen years).
PRAYER
Father God, thank You for the joy found in giving. Give me a generous heart even toward ordinary needs. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: 1 Chronicles 29:1-9 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 30-31; John 18:1-18
