The value of generosity and gratitude
Dr. Roberto MirandaSUMMARY:
In First Chronicles chapter 16, David brings the ark back into Jerusalem and declares a special offering to the Lord in gratitude. David blesses the people and distributes food to all of Israel, appointing ministers of the Levites to remember, confess, and praise the Lord. The people of God must be generous to fulfill the great commission and reach the nations. Gratitude is also essential for true generosity. David summons the people to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings for sin before offering peace offerings, blessings, and praise to the Lord. The people of Israel were commanded to bring offerings to the Lord at different times throughout the year, and David's offering marks a special occasion of extraordinary worship. The church should also offer its offerings with a contrite and humbled heart, acknowledging its sins and committing to living in holiness before the Lord.
The church is committing to obedience to God and thanking Him for the blessings received this year, including health, prosperity, and knowing Christ as Lord and Savior. Even in difficult times, we trust that God's plan is good and in due time He will bring peace and comfort. We bless and praise the name of the Lord.First Chronicles chapter 16. We see David just bringing the ark back into Jerusalem after the ark had been captured by the Philistines and David declares a special offering to the Lord in gratitude. When David finally manages to bring the ark of the covenant back, a symbol of God's presence in the midst of his people, David declares a special offering, a special day of gratitude to the Lord. In chapter 16 he says:
“…They brought the ark of God and put it in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. And when David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah and distributed – this is interesting – to all Israel, both men and women, each one a loaf of bread, a piece of meat and a cake of raisins. And he appointed ministers of the Levites before the ark of the Lord, to remember and confess and praise the Lord, the God of Israel….”