Where Does It Come From?

In the last handful of years or so times have been tough. The economy has been less than bountiful, that's for sure. "Groceries and gas!" is the expression that I utter with exasperation regularly. No matter what the payday brings in it seems that our growing family never has enough... due to the cost of "groceries and gas" or the cost of living. The bills continue to increase, however the the income doesn't seem to match the same gain. Several very special people in my life have had to claim bankruptcy or had their homes foreclosed on. Times have been tough, financially speaking.

Right now you are reading these words, that I've typed on a desktop computer, on some electronic device that has access to the world wide web. That tells me, however, that we all have been blessed to some degree. Right? I'm not making judgements, just observations. So, generally speaking, though we may be doing without in some ways... in others, we're existing in some form of comfort.

What I'm getting at is, globally speaking, we are rich if we're able to connect over the Internet. Our needs are being met to some degree. How does that happen? Where does it come from?

This next verse of thanks is found in David's prayer that he prayed in the presence of the whole assembly (the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the mighty men and all the brave warriors. 1 Chron. 28:1). He was making known his gratitude to the Lord, the God of Israel, for providing for and protecting his kingdom. This took place after David turned the plans that the Lord, through inspiration, had given him for the building of the temple over to his son, Solomon. He was also preparing to turn his reign over to Solomon, whom God had chosen.

"Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:13

The Lord told David that he was not to build the temple because he was a warrior and blood had been shed by his hands. Though God had given King David specific instructions as to how this building project was to be executed, he made clear to him that it was his son, Solomon, that was to oversee the construction, the administration and the worship.

When David called out to his people to volunteer a gift of themselves to the work of the Lord (building the temple), the response was overwhelming and incredibly generous. David, himself, donated his personal fortune to the cause. He did this because he knew that he could not out give God. God had blessed David with great wealth and he was simply returning what God had already given him in the first place.

"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." 1 Chron. 29:14

So, where does it come from? In heart to heart conversations that I've shared with my loved ones over the lean times that we've experienced in the past (and present), thankfully, we have been able to see the hand of God providing for our needs. Taking care of us in the day to day. All that we have does come from Him in the first place... our planet, our lives, our loved ones, our food... they all come from God's creation. Why, then, is it hard for us to give back? I mean really give. I struggle with it. My time, my talents, my energy, my money... all hard to part with... especially when it all seems so difficult to come up with in the first place. Ahh... but when I see it in the perspective that David so nicely puts it into, "everything comes from you... what comes from your hand," it only seems right to loosen up a bit and not cling so tightly to what isn't mine to begin with.

I love this portion of David's prayer. I'll leave you with it while you consider how the Lord has blessed you in the past or present. And I pray that you can see yourself in the light of this verse of old in your heart today.

"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. O Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you." 1 Chron 29:17-18

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b