1 Chronicles 29,  Psalm 137,  Luke 9:51-62,  1 Thessalonians 2:10-21 

1 Chronicles 29:

1 Chronicles finishes with some shrewd advice from David, as well as establishing thereby some fundamental and foundational principles for effectiveness and genuine “success.” Solomon, David acknowledges, is young and inexperienced (29:1). However, because of that, David has put together a huge amount of resources to help him with the building of a temple (29:2-5)—which is a great task because it is for God (29:1).

He then challenges the whole assembly whether they will give “willingly” (29:5). They do indeed—a massive amount is given, without compulsion, and instead with a good will (29:6-9). The Lord loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). And because they give this way, “the people rejoice” (29:9). There is a deep connection between open hands of generosity and rich hearts of rejoicing. Then David praises God before the assembly (29:10-19). In so doing, he establishes the principle that all effectiveness, all honor and prosperity, is from God. 

“Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.” (1 Chron. 29:12) 

All the people praise God, too (29:20-22). There is general rejoicing. Solomon is established as David’s successor (29:22-25). And when David dies, it is “at a good age, full of days, riches, and honor” (29:28). Indubitably, some who are righteous do not experience riches or honor in the world’s eyes. We do not live in a theocracy where the righteous are recognized as being honorable all the time. But by the same token, there is, all other things being equal, a connection between following God and being blessed by God. Such blessing is far more than material—as the Son of Man who had nowhere to lay his head (Luke 9:58) testifies—but if it includes the material, it is without the cancer of “materialism,” but of generous and bountiful open hearts and hands, whose delight is in giving to God and to his people.

What would it be like for us to give willingly? If we do, we may well be surprised at the great joy that we, like David and his people, experience as well.