ROOTED - Thursday, March 26, 2026

1
Chronicles 29: 6-9

 6   Then the
leaders of fathers' houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the
leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds,
and the officers over the king's work. 7 They
gave for the service of the house of God 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics[a] of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze
and 100,000 talents of iron. 8 And whoever had
precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord, in the
care of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9 Then the
people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart
they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

Reflection:
Joy in Giving

Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro

Chapter
29 of 1 Chronicles is instructive in several ways. I notice David’s leadership,
first and foremost. He is candid with the people, telling them that his desire
had been to build the Temple for God. However, the Lord told him that he would
not do it owing to the bloodshed that marked his reign. We learn in this
chapter that David was well into the preparation of the Temple, having drawn up
plans and having gathered materials (wood, gold, silver, etc.). He was
passionate and planning, but the Lord had other plans. So, in the company of
the children of Israel, he tells Solomon that his task will be to build the
Temple. Then, he tells the people of the personal sacrificial offering he, as
King, was making to the temple (lots of gold and silver, verse 4). David then
invites the people to give, saying, “who then will offer willingly,
consecrating himself today to the Lord?” It is here that we pick up the story.

Again,
I find this instructive. The people (specifically, the leaders) all give. They
gave, the Bible records, 1) willingly, 2) whole-heartedly, and 3) freely to the
Lord. What was the result: the people rejoiced! Our Roots to Fruit campaign has
been, so far as I can tell, a group effort. My hope is that everyone gave in
the manner that we read here… willingly (not out of coercion), and with a whole
heart (not “half-heartedly”) to God. If this is the case, then we all ought to
rejoice because the result will honor God and will be good. There are times
when the children of God are called to give sacrificially, going above and
beyond the normal. And when that happens, as unto the Lord, the church can
accomplish great things. Our giving to the Lord should be joyous and
celebratory, and done with our whole hearts. The last chapter of 1 Chronicles
gives us a beautiful model for how this is done!

Prayer

Lord,
bless our Roots to Fruit campaign and those who have supported it with their
whole hearts. May you give them a special measure of joy and rejoicing as you
now accomplish a great work for your people!