The Blessing of Stewardship

Temple Baptist Church - 4-28-2019

1 Chronicles 29:1-9

Introduction:

A.  In our text this morning, we find Israel preparing to build Solomon’s Temple.  From the time of Israel’s departure from Egypt to King David’s day, God’s presence was found in the Tabernacle, a special tent where God met with man.

B.  David’s desire was to build God a house but was not allowed to do so because he was a man of war so David and Israel prepared by storing up the materials necessary to build the Temple in Solomon’s day.

1.  Verse 1.  The Work was Great.  “the work is great.”  It was to be the greatest building project the world had ever known: a house built for the glory and worship of God. 

2.  Verse 1.  The Temple was Great.  “the palace … for the Lord.” Heretofore, God’s presence had resided in and met with the people of God in a tent, the Tabernacle in the Wilderness.  Israel would now begin building Solomon’s Temple.

3.  Verse 2.  The Effort was Great.  “I have prepared with all my might.”  David prepared with all his might as there was so much to accomplish in such a short time.

4.  Verse 2.  The Cost was Great.  “gold … silver … brass … iron … wood … stones … marble … in abundance.”  Solomon’s Temple was the most expensive building in the world. 

5.  Verse 3.  The Affection was Great.  “I have set my affection to the house of my God.”  The people of Israel were thrilled by the prospect.

6.  Verse 3-5.  The Sacrifice was Great.  “I have of mine own proper good … over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.” David and the people gave of their “proper good.”  Something put up or a peculiar treasure.

7.  Verses 5-8.  Their Willingness was Great.  “(5) who then is willing to consecrate … (6) offered willingly … (7) gave for the service of the house of God … (8) gave for the service of the house of God.”   They gave above and beyond expectation.  They did not give the minimum required by law, but gave freely of a willing heart.

8.  Verse 9.  Their Rejoicing was Great.  “rejoiced with great joy.” What a privilege and blessing it was to them to give to the work of the Lord.  Their sacrifice was a thing of rejoicing and joy, not sorrow and hardship.

C.  I just wanted to take a few minutes this morning to commend Temple Baptist Church for your willingness to give.  I do not spend a lot of time preaching on tithing and giving because most of you understand both the command to give and the blessing of giving. 

2 Corinthians 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

D.  This is the greatest giving church that I have ever been associated with!  I do not know who gives what but I do know what is given and stand amazed.

E.  The local church is the place of God’s choosing to edify the saints, teach the Word of God, prepare for the ministry, and carry the gospel to a lost and dying world.

1.  The Purpose of Giving.  It is two-fold.

a.  The Commission is great.  Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  (To go into all the world while remaining at home.  The only way to do that is to give to missions.)

b.  The Church is great.  Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  (26)  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  (27)  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

2.  The Proving of Giving. 

a.  Our Attitude towards God’s House - Malachi 3:10a-12  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house … 

b.  Our Attitude towards the souls of men - Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (To evangelize at home and abroad at the same time.)

c.  Our Attitude towards our finances - 2 Corinthians 8:1-5  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  (2)  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  (5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.  (The local church is a non-profit organization by design.  God’s money is to be spent wisely.) 

3.  The Pleasure of Giving.

a.  Giving with cheerfulness.  2 Corinthians 9:7-11  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  (8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:  (9)  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.  (10)  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)  (11)  Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

b.  Giving with confidence.  Malachi 3:10b-12 … and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  (11)  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.  (12)  And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

2 Corinthians 9:6  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Luke 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.