Saturday, July 19, 2014 [the Source of Everything]
1 Chronicles 29:14-16
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand…as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you."
In his book, What Matters Most, Dr. Tony Evans gives an illustration of giving. He notes that "there are three types of givers: the flint, the sponge, and the honeycomb. To get anything out of a flint you must hammer it, but you get only chips and sparks. To get anything out of a sponge you must squeeze it. The more pressure you use, the more you get. But the honeycomb just naturally overflows with sweetness" (Evans, 105).
The "honeycomb" is a beautiful image of the type of giver that I believe most of us want to be, not holding back, not hindered or "stopped up" in any way, but freely and cheerfully giving the best we have to offer in abundance. King David gave like a honeycomb when he was amassing the materials that Solomon would use for building the Temple. How do we become honeycomb givers? David's secret to being a honeycomb giver was recognizing where all that he had to give came from. David acknowledged His Source and was able to give freely because he KNEW that he had received just as freely.
The favor God gave him was free.
The many times that the Lord had saved his life…free.
The forgiveness and restoration that he had received for his sins, over and over again…ALL FREE!
James writes, in his letter to Jewish believers scattered outside of Palestine, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17). This is where we begin. Recognizing that we've received everything we don't deserve only because of the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ. The next step is a "honeycomb" move - "Freely you have received, freely give" (Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Matthew 10:8)
Father, even though we may not have the things "we've always wanted," we are the richest people alive because of your gracious gift in Jesus Christ. Jesus, You have given your best and taken our worst not asking anything in return, except that we follow you. Help us, Holy Spirit, to follow Jesus' example and give our best in spite of what we feel or what we face.
"...as having nothing and yet possessing all things." (2 Corinthians 6:10c)
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Kenny Sullivan
soli Deo gloria
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