1 Chronicles 29:1

1 Chronicles 29:1 says, Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the Lord God.  David said Solomon had been chosen by God to replace him and build the temple, which would be a palace for God and not for man.  He also pointed out that Solomon was young and would need the support of the people in doing the work.  We need for people to serve where they are called to serve by God, and we need to support them, especially if they are called when they are young and are called to a position of leadership.  Verse two adds, Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.  David pointed out all that he had done to have the things that would be needed ready for the building of the temple, and we need to do everything we can to have the things needed for doing God's work ready today, even if someone else is called to do the work.  Verse three continues, Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.  David said he had also added his own gold and silver to that he had amassed from other places.  We also need to make personal contributions to God's work and not just expect others to pay for it.  Verse four states, Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:  David listed what he had personally given, not to brag, but to challenge the other rich men to give as well.  I don't believe we should brag about what we have given God today, especially if we give out of an abundance and not out of sacrifice, and I believe the Holy Spirit will call on everyone to give as God asks of them.  Verse five, adds, The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?  David had donated his personal wealth for the purpose of building the temple and not for whatever purpose the people might want to use it for.  God was guiding him in this, and when we give today, it must be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and for the work He has dedicated it to.  David did not tax the people to help support the building of the temple, but he set the example and challenged them to give.  This is a good example for church leaders to follow today.  Verse six says, 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,  The chief fathers and princes and captains gave willingly to the work, and we need those in positions of leadership in the church today to give willingly to support God's work and not to ask people to give to support their lifestyle.  Verse seven adds, And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.  Then we have a list of what they gave, including brass and iron, which might not have been as valuable in and of itself, but would be needed in the building of the temple.  We may not all be able to give things that are viewed as valuable in the eyes of the world, but we can all give things necessary for accomplishing God's work today.  Verse eight continues, And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the Lord, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.  They also gave precious stones if they had them.  I have to wonder how much greater God's work would be done if people gave their valuable things to support it.  Of course, as with David and the people then, this should be done willingly and not because people are forced to give.  Verse nine concludes, Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.  The people then rejoiced because they had given with a pure heart, and David rejoiced with them.  I believe that we too often give sparingly and begrudge given instead of giving willingly and with a pure heart while rejoicing in the Lord.