TOPIC: A BOUNTIFUL AND GRATEFUL OFFERING
Text: 1 Kings 8:62-66
8:62 Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the Lord.
8:63 And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the Lord, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord.
8:64 On the same day the king consecrated the middle of the court that was in front of the house of the Lord; for there he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar that was before the Lord was too small to receive the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.
8:65 At that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great assembly from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt, before the Lord our God, seven days and seven more days—fourteen days.
8:66 On the eighth day he sent the people away; and they [a]blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the good that the Lord had done for His servant David, and for Israel His people.
STUDY:
During the dedication of the temple, Solomon offered to God peace offerings of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. The same day, Solomon dedicated the middle of the Court that was before the Lord; he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings and the fat of peace offerings. The said offerings were so abundant that the small brazen altar in the Lord’s presence could not contain them; therefore Solomon offered them on the middle of the Court.
Solomon had a generous heart towards God. Just do a rough estimate of the monetary value of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats today and see how much Solomon gave to the Lord; then estimate the abundant burnt, grains and fat offerings which he also offered to God the same day. 2 Corinthians 8:5 emphasises giving bountifully while verse 7 tells us that God loves a cheerful giver.
Some Christians do not give to God; others give sparingly. Some people put their money to empty things that will attract the praise of men, but are unwilling to give to God. If you check the offering boxes of some churches and ministries, you will see people giving economically. Some persons cannot give to God unless a Preacher persuades or cajoles them. The conclusion of the matter is this: If you give, it will be given to you. If you give to God abundantly and cheerfully, He will love you and provide for you abundantly just as He loved and provided for Solomon abundantly.
Prayer:
Gracious Father, please give me a generous heart of gratitude to give to you bountifully.
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