Joyful Satisfaction in Giving

 

I feel greatly satisfied when giving money especially if I have earned it myself in the first place.  Of course, anything earned is the Lord's provision.  There is also joy because, whether given directly or anonymously, the recipient has been helped in some way.  

How about you?  Does giving give you joy and satisfaction?

King David was jubilant.  At first take is seems he is boasting about his giving, and that turned me off.  But if a reader digs deeper in the focus passage, you will get a different perspective.  Joyful news one just has to tell!

David's desire was to build a permanent dwelling for God to dwell among the people of Israel.  It was a good desire for sure.  However, God had told him he could not.  David didn't sit back and complain or become depressed because he was told, "NO!".

He was pro-active.  He listed gold and silver items and more of what he was able to give.  These were building materials put into a treasury for the specific purpose of building the temple.  The building fund, if you will.

His son Solomon would be the one to build the temple.  The temple would be for God, not man.  King David gathered his people to tell them this and gave his giving list.  He then challenged his people,

"Who will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the LORD" (vs 5)?

Leaders of homes, tribes, commanders and officers gave for the service of God's house.  The result was

 "the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD.  David the king also rejoiced greatly" (vs 9).

What a magnificent, euphoric moment that must have been!

I know of one small city church who has also given much over the years to help rural congregations build churches and access roads to interior villages.  It's amazing when the people give 'wholeheartedly' and with joy!

Yes, there could be the danger of bragging but to be able to list out and show the congregation what their giving has accomplished, it can encourage and bring joyful satisfaction in giving, as a believer in Jesus Christ is wont to do.  

Just writing this makes me feel like praising the Lord for His provision that allows His people to provide for others.  Break out in song, Praise the Savior!  Or, Give of Your Best to the Master.

The people of Israel along with King David, worshipped and praised God.  They blessed Him and 

"paid homage to the Lord ..." (vs 20).

This all looks grand on paper.  It is good though if we check our attitudes towards giving compared to those of Israel.  Ask yourself, "Is my giving wholehearted?"  "Do I have joyful satisfaction in giving?"

I suppose that the measure of wholehearted willingness of giving will be equivalent to the level of joy.  Let's give

 "freely and wholeheartedly" (vs 9).  

Check for stinginess and hesitancy in the inner sanctums of our hearts.  Are there other hindrances?  Are they real reasons for not giving with joyful abandon?  Perhaps we don't realize God is the Giver of what we have in the first place.  We don't understand God's character of being THE Giver of all time and eternity.

Take note of what David praised God for (see vs 10-19).  David said God was the God of Israel.  Is He your God?  In prayer and praise do you address God as the God of _________ (tuck your name in that blank)?  David also praised God for His greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty.  He declared and acknowledged God's ownership of all that's in heaven and on earth.  

Recall that David was the King of Israel but he's saying, God is actually THE King.  He praised and said that the kingdom belongs to God and He was to be exalted over all.  He further declares that all riches, and honor belong to God and He makes things great and gives strength to all.  God's name is holy.

If you ever are at a loss for words of how to praise and adore God, read those verses.  Praise will really bubble forth and you will be on a roll with your own adoration articulations.

The most important element David mentioned was in verse 14,

"For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You".

In all our giving, let's keep this in mind.  It will help to overcome hesitancy in giving of what we are able.  May all glory be to God, as He motivates our giving and directs to whom or for what purpose to give (see Deuteronomy 16:17 & 2 Corinthians 9:).

Take a time out now to praise and thank him for what He has giving you and more importantly what you have been able to give to Him and for His purposes.

When a need presents itself, we get our hearts tested.  Recite that vs 14 to yourself and then go forth with your free will offering.  Give wholeheartedly, willingly, and joyfully.  Burst forth in praise and worship.  May each and everyone of us have joyful satisfaction in giving.

Heavenly Father, God, we Your people love and adore You, for You alone are our great and almighty Giver of all things.  You especially gave Your one and only son Jesus for our salvation.  It was such a huge sacrifice!  How it must have hurt Your heart to do that to Your son.  Yet now He is our Savior and Lord.  It is a precious, costly gift and we bless and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Thank You for our possessions, our time and energy.  All such come from you alone.  Spur us on to give freely and willingly as You did.  Thank You for Your perfect example and the example of king David and his people so long ago and that still reverbrates down to us, Your chosen children-in-Christ.  In Jesus' name we give You our praise.  Amen.

                                                 ~ ERC  March 2025 ~

Based on 1 Chronicles 29:1-20 ESV and Christian Disciplines - Chapter 11 - Giving - from Bible Study Guide - Life Builder Christian Character.

Sing, Give of Your Best to the Master, along with Reflection and Freely, Freely You Have Received, along with Chet Valley Churches.