Pilot Knob Lutheran Clenched Fist or Open Hand? 2/7/2024
When you read through the book of 1 Chronicles, near the end of the book you come to long lists of people King David put in charge regarding the temple his son Solomon would build. The author mentions the material resources collected, duties of Levites, priests, family leaders, musicians, division of gate keepers and so on. In other words, it makes for less than interesting reading, and we tend to skip past these chapters and go somewhere else and read.
However, at the very end, chapter 29:10ff we have King David’s prayer. What stands out is his perspective on stuff, material things, and one’s abilities. Vss. 13-16 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. “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. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.” What is David referring to? Thousands and thousands of pounds of iron, bronze, gold, silver, timber and more for the construction of God’s temple, in addition to the service people rendered. The people were very generous in giving to God’s work and the Lord blessed them as a result.
Did you notice David’s understanding where it all came from? It all came from God because he owns it all! There is nothing we possess that isn’t God’s and that he has given on loan expecting us to be good stewards; from farm land to clothing, money to influence, what we give and how we use things and opportunities is simply us giving back to God what is already his and will always be his. This isn’t the worlds perspective; it is God’s and he is the ultimate authority and judge. When we give to God, we are simply being good stewards of God’s generous material resources, opportunities, and abilities.
How do you hold your gifts from God, with a clenched fist or an open hand?
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Today: 3:45 Confirmation class.
Sunday 11, 9:00 AM Morning worship service. Sermon: Changed
10:15 Sunday school.
February 11, 10:30 Annual Meeting, please be sure to attend.
February 25, 2-3:30 GriefShare Session 9. Please tell others. For more information go to: https://www.griefshare.org/findagroupor contact Pr. Bob or Sue Reese.
~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran/
