1 Chronicles 29:10-14, 16-17
Then David blessed the LORD before the whole assembly:
Blessed are you, LORD, God of our ancestor Israel, forever and always. To you, LORD, belong greatness and power, honor, splendor, and majesty, because everything in heaven and on earth belongs to you. Yours, LORD, is the kingship, and you are honored as head of all. You are the source of wealth and honor, and you rule over all. In your hand are strength and might, and it is in your power to magnify and strengthen all.
And now, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name. Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly? Since everything comes from you, we have given you that which comes from your own hand.
LORD, our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build you a temple for your holy name comes from your hand and belongs to you. Since I know, my God, that you examine the mind and take delight in honesty, I have freely given all these things with the highest of motives. And now I’ve been delighted to see your people here offering so willingly to you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I recently watched an interesting documentary film called I Am by director Tom Shadyac. This man’s name might not be familiar to you, but I bet you know his work… Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Bruce Almighty, The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, and Patch Adams, to name a few. Shadyac was living “the American Dream” – cars, mansions, a private jet, and more. Then he was involved in a serious biking accident and suffered a head injury that left him with a condition known as “Post-concussion Syndrome,” or “PC.” One of the common symptoms of PC is severe depression, and some sufferers even become suicidal. As Shadyac considered his own death, he says he gained clarity and purpose in his own life. And he began to make some major changes.
Tom Shadyac’s father, Richard, was a board member and CEO of St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis, where children with life-threatening illnesses are treated free of charge. Through Richard Shadyac, Tom already had experience in “giving back.” But as a result of his injury and illness, he began to ask the question… ”What's wrong with our world, and what can we do about it?” In the film I Am, Shadyac consults philosophers, scientists, and spiritual leaders throughout the world. He concludes that a basic law of nature is to take only what you need. Clearly, we’ve lost sight of this in today’s world! By showing the connection all life forms have via DNA, argon gas, and much more, Shadyac illustrates how intricately God formed all of His creatures – and how important it is for us to operate from the heart rather than the head!
If you watch I Am expecting Shadyac to attribute all of his discoveries directly to God, you will be disappointed. But the film is still worth a look. It makes you think about how much “stuff” we have – and how important much of it has become to us. Hopefully you will be reminded that everything we have comes from God… and you will question what you are giving Him in return.
We can’t outgive God. We cannot “compete” in any way, shape, or form. And we are not supposed to… God doesn’t want us to serve or give to Him out of any sense of obligation. But He does want us to take all of the gifts, blessings, talents and abilities that He has so graciously showered on us and give back out of the abundance of our heart, with no hidden motives or expectations. In other words, if God has blessed you with intelligence and the means to attend college, you can “repay” Him by studying hard, doing your best, and making the most of whatever degree you earn… then serving others in your work.
If God has blessed you with a good job and the opportunity to make plenty of money, honor Him by helping others… giving to charities, ministering to the needy, and using your “wealth” to support programs and organizations that aide those less fortunate. If God has given you a talent, use it for His glory. Don’t “hide your light under a barrel” or use what He gave you merely to gain recognition and accolades for yourself.
Tom Shadyac sold his mansions, cars, and jet and moved into a much smaller home. He rides a bicycle to work. God gave him the ability to create movies that make us laugh… and now to make us think. As you look around at your life, ask yourself where you have used God’s gifts for your own purposes. What have you given back to Him? How have you taken the talents and abilities God gave you and used them to do things that bring glory and honor to Him? Where does your life need a tune-up… and a downsizing? What are you giving back to God… and how pleased is He with your offerings?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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