Willing Servants

Today’s Reading – 1 Chronicles 29 – 2 Chronicles 2

Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly, (1Chronicles 29:6)

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. (1Chronicles 29:14)

This passage of Scripture reminds me of the original offering taken for the Tabernacle of the Congregation in the Wilderness.  Remember, God had to tell them to stop giving because they gave way to much.  Why is it so hard today for people to let go of their treasure and their time and use it for the service of God?  I have a couple of thoughts on the matter:

 1  The people preparing for the Temple here, as with the the people building the first Tabernacle are very excited about what God is doing in their lives.  They are completely convinced that God is everything, and they trust Him implicitly with their lives, and their substance.  Perhaps the people in our churches today lack that kind of trust.  I guess it is easy for the leaders to blame them; but maybe it’s really because they don’t see that the money and time that they are sacrificing are really making a difference. 

2  The people here also had complete trust in the devotion, dedication, and stewardship of their leaders.  I hate to say it; but perhaps the reason why people are reluctant to give of themselves sacrificially at our church is because they don’t fully trust my leadership; or perhaps they lack faith in my motives.

It is easy for the preachers of today to blast the people in the pew for the lack of zeal in these areas; but just maybe, we are to blame.   This is a sobering thought, but if I could develop (through the power of the Holy Spirit) into the type of leader that David was, then maybe I (we) could see God do great things like He did here in this passage.  I know that this is true because I see God doing amazing things in other ministries.  Pray for me as a pastor, that I do not hold back the blessings of God on this church due to my lack of leadership.