Always With Thanksgiving : Always Thankful for Prosperity

 

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You.” (1 Chronicles 29 :14)

 

One of the greatest displays of personal wealth in recorded history is that of King David of Israel in preparation for building the first temple in Jerusalem. Out of his own personal wealth, David gave 3,000 talents of gold and seven thousand talents of silver. And the leaders of Israel contributed several times more.

 

And what do you think the first words from David’s mouth were after these billions of dollars of commodities were collected? "Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever" (1 Chronicles 29 :10). The first thing David did was to "praise God from whom all blessings flow". David knew that everything they had given to build the temple had come from God and that they were donating back to God only what God had previously given to them. A lack of praise in times of prosperity may mean we are confused about the source of our blessings.

 

If we have more than you need today, give thanks to God for your prosperity.

To see a man humble under prosperity is one of the greatest rarities in the world.

 

From Watercolour Artist/Prayer Essayist/Columnist James Seo.

At the Chapel in Elim Christian Centre. 159 Botany Road, Auckland.