All Things are God's

When we talk about supporting our families it usually evolves around material things more than emotional. This world spends so much time worrying about the physical needs more than the heart that our measure of success has come from money and material enjoyment rather than family gatherings. There are those who have been brought up without want of things that they do not understand emotional attachments and live either in seclusion or extreme boastfulness. Either way theirs is a lonely life. On the other spectrum there are those that live through the heart. These are blessed in specific but numerous ways. While one depends on a piece of paper or a credit card for happiness, the other relies on relationships. Which are you?

King David was told he would not build a house for God. Obviously he was not happy at first because he understood he failed God but knew that his son would build it. David prepares the way for the building of the Temple by gathering people who gave willingly and generously for God. When he looked at the massive pile of donations he praised God saying,

“Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 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. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:10-13

The measure of blessings that the people had brought must have been massive. Some may say it was brought out of fear of reprisal from the King but it was just the opposite. The people brought gifts that were given to them as blessings from God Almighty because of their obedience to Him. In their mind these riches were frivolous material goods in which they had more than a proper abundance so it was right to give them to God because these things really did not belong to them.

David continues by saying,
“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own. I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.” 1 Chronicles 29:14-19

David is emphasizing that he knows their place in the greater scheme of things. Remember, we are made to be caretakers of the world and the Israelites were given a specific mission from God. They know that things of the earth are not truly theirs to own but given as a way to live comfortably while accomplishing what they were supposed to do.

Devalued Faith
Today’s society is filled with greed of stuff which darkens the heart. This has flowed into a greed of self-servitude where everything revolves around the self so when others need help. Those who feel this way do everything they can to achieve self-gratification and will not lift a finger to help those who help them unless they get something out of it (or their spouses tell them they have to do it). These may say they are believers but they are not followers of God and are not in a right relationship with Him.
This person type has trust issues with those who are on the rim of their innermost circles. It is a situation where a person is needed for something but everything outside of their need means nothing and cannot trust or be trusted to reciprocate. What kind of relationship is this? Devalued and volatile. Not Godly at all.

Willingly Obligated
In the beginning God created. He is our creator which means we are obligated to Him for our very breath. The difference is being willingly obligated or serving without question. It is to have the ability to give without the desire to receive. We serve an awesome God who provides our every basic sustainable need. To accomplish this, He granted us gifts of trades and character by which we work together and help each other. This type of way is possible when all we needs are the basics for life.
If you look into history you will see communities are centered on a belief which all have and to appease their beliefs, they help each other. Yes there were disagreements but they were solved using the 7 Principles (Noachide Laws) and the judicial system within them. Eventually codes of laws were set up with the 7 Principles as a base
Another way of looking at this is the faith that we put our lives into His hands. To understand this better, we make a choice and live by that choice but God delivers the reward or consequence for that choice. We have faith that our choices are good in His eyes.

Give It Back
The only way we came move forward is by giving back. This does not mean feed all your money into churches. This means helping others in the communities you live in. Share the love, compassion, and understanding that God has provided us with those who need it, especially those within the church community who may seem to be right on the outside but have wounded hearts. Live with Mercy and Grace for others in heart mind and soul. We can give back to God in more ways than we can possibly imagine.
Press that button on the heart and activate your faith.

Through Grace and Mercy God Provides,
Rob, Servant of God