Day 129

Giving for Building

Read: 1 Chronicles 28-29

It is fitting that we should give generously to build church buildings in which God may be worshiped and his Word may be taught. But we should always keep in mind that the New Testament says that the church is people, that we together are to be a holy temple. Again and again Paul speaks of doing that which edifies, that is, that which builds up the church of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, let us give generously so that the church may have the resources to teach its people the Word and especially that the church may send forth the Word of God to others that they, too, may be built up in the faith.

Notice how David himself gives: “Because of my devotion to the house of my God I give it to the house of my God” (29:3). In response to the grace of God by which he has redeemed us through Christ we should have a great devotion to the church, the “building” of his people built on the one foundation, Jesus Christ. That devotion ought to motivate us to give generously. The Bible sets a tithe as a guideline for giving, but in light of the great opportunity to build God’s “temple” by spreading the gospel today, and in the light of the great resources God has placed in the hands of many Christians, these should give more than a tithe, however much they have made up in their mind to give (2 Cor. 9:7).

PRAYER
Father, give us grace to build the church by generous giving and according to your plan. In Christ. Amen.