Abundance
1 Chronicles Chapters 28 – 29
As David prepares for death and turns over to Solomon the kingdom—and the task of building the temple—we see words of wisdom coming from David that are worthy of Solomon himself.
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”
As we consider what it means for David to have been a man after God’s own heart, nothing is more characteristic of him than wholehearted devotion.
From there he goes on to share with Solomon all of his own plans and dreams for the temple, providing the foundation (and many of the resources) for its eventual construction. It is clear here that building the temple was the greatest dream of his life, but he does not seem to begrudge God’s choice to take that dream away from him.
Instead, he advises Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.”
While much of the gold, silver, gems and other things needed for the construction of the temple had been collected by David, either for the temple or for his own wealth (which he freely shared for the temple’s construction), he also asks the people to contribute, and they do so generously.
Rather than taking pride in either his own gifts or the gifts of his people, David responds with characteristic humility: “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.”

Thursday meditation

Proverbs 27:7-8
One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home.

Prayer focus
As we have received abundantly, let us give abundantly.

-Rev. Mark Fleming