1 Chronicles 29:8

"Handfuls of Purpose,"

For All Gleaners

"And they with whom precious stones were found gave them." 1 Chronicles 29:8 .

Nothing was withheld from the treasure of the house of the Lord. The people seemed to be inspired by the ambition to find out the very best, and to give it. All had not precious stones to give, but those with whom they were found parted with them with gratitude and rapture of soul. There is a giving which is a true getting. When we put our jewellery into the hand of God it becomes us best. The reference now need not be to precious stones, to talents of gold and talents of silver, but it may be to genius, it may be to special gifts of mind or body: some men have music, and they ought to give it to the treasure of the house of the Lord; some have sagacity, influence, understanding of the times; some have great inventiveness, some have much actual material gold: every one must give what he has. What will be the consequence of this consecration of person and property? That is explained in these words: "Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy." After all this giving came gladness, came prayer and praise, came almost heaven itself. David said to all the congregation, Now bless the Lord your God. We bless God in giving him what we have, and having given him all that was in our hands, our hearts seem to be liberated and enlarged that they may offer still louder and purer praise. David and the people were conscious that they had done nothing of themselves. There is no taint of vanity in all this sacrifice of thanksgiving; in the midst of it we hear these explanatory words, "All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee." Such are the inspirations and such are the delights which are open to us as prophets, poets, suppliants, and toilers in the kingdom of God.