February 15th, 2026
Scripture – ““But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.”
1 Chronicles 29:14-17 NIV
Observation – David has just witnesses how generous the people of Israel have been in giving gold, silver, precious stones and other supplies for the building of the temple. David acknowledges that all this abundance came from God in the first place and belongs to God. David also says that he knows that God tests us. One of the ways God tests people is by providing them with wealth and seeing what they do with it and what it does to them.
Application – How do you view what God has given you and what God claims is his? Are you generous with God’s church, do you take care of the poor, are you supporting missionaries so that the lost can hear the Gospel? God says to honor him with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine. Are you thoughtfully and prayerfully giving to God or are you living in luxury, buying whatever you want whenever you want, going out to eat all the time, subscribing to every streaming service available so you can be entertained and then shrugging your shoulders and saying you would like to give but just can’t? If this description resembles you, repent, and ask God to give you a proper perpective of the wealth he has provided by giving you a healthy body, a sound mind and a skill. Our God is gracious and compassionate, he will forgive you and help you obey him.
Prayer – Dear Jesus, money and possessions can really get a grip on our hearts and cause us to believe that the source of our strength and hope is in the amount of money we have or how much money the wealth you have blessed us with can generate each year so we don’t have to “worry”. I pray for those who are struggling with giving to confess this and start working on a plan to give. I pray for those that trust in their wealth that they would understand that money is a terrible master but a wonderful servant and they would align with you to make the most of what you have blessed them with for their short time on earth. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 