lenten 40: day 15 - color

image 15.

scripture.

Gifts for Building the Temple

¹ Then King David said to the whole assembly: "My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God. ² With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities. ³ Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: ⁴ three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, ⁵ for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD ?"

⁶ Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly. ⁷ They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. ⁸ Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. ⁹ The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

~1 Chronicles 29:1-9

thoughts.

Part of the lenten season is aimed at practicing self-denial. self-denial can be lived out by giving our best to God. i stumbled upon the story of David giving the finest gold, silver and gems for use in making the temple of God spectacular. he felt compelled to give his best and compelled others to do likewise, so that when the temple would be complete - it would truly be a beautiful house of the Lord. those who gave had done there part to pay homage to their Lord.

this reminds me of Mary who poured out expensive purfume onto her Lord's feet, as a sign of her reverance and appreciation. (John 12:1-11). what a way to honor her messiah. giving her best. something of great value was given - as a sign of worship.

in what colorful ways could i give my best to a God whom has given so much to me?

give to the King of all. give colorfully and joyfully. freely and wholeheartedly. a natural way to practice self-denial.