Previously, David had instructed Solomon about the Temple. Now, in this passage of Scripture, the people bring gifts for the Temple.
It is feasible for us to be so fixated on a church building that we have disregarded the genuine church, God’s children. Yet, the contrary reaction, ignoring the church building, is additionally off-base. David makes this moment when he says that the Temple is "not for man, but for the Lord God."
Although we ought to stay away from inefficient excess, that is wastefully spending for extravagant decorations, we should recall that each church building can be a noticeable witness for God. How might our church building be better utilized to inform the world of God?
David gave from his very own fortune to the Temple. He urged others to follow his model, and they energetically did. Bot the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:5-36:7) and the Temple were built from the gifts that the people gave voluntarily.
Like David, we can recognize that all we have comes from God (1 Chronicles 29:14-16). We might not have wealth and riches like David; however, we can foster his eagerness to give. It is not what we have that counts with God, however our eagerness to give of what we have.
What Is the Importance of Service?
But if this is about the Temple and gifts for the Temple, what does it have to do with consecration? Let us look at the word consecration. Consecration is a solemn devotion to a particular purpose, reason, or service.
The word consecration in a real sense signifies a relationship with the sacred. People, things, or places can be consecrated, and the term is utilized in diverse ways by various groups.
Look at the last part of verse five, “And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord.” Here, David is referring exactly to that of the service of ourselves. There are many scriptures in the Bible that emphasize that “to obey is better than sacrifice” (Psalms 40:6-8 & 51:16-17; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 1:11-17; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 12:7; Mark 12:33; Hebrews 10:8-9).
In 1 Samuel 15:22, Samuel was not saying that sacrifice is unimportant, he was telling Saul to look at the reasons for making the sacrifice instead of the sacrifice itself. During biblical times, a ritual sacrifice was made to God by man to demonstrate the relationship between man and God.
If our hearts are not truly repentant, then a sacrifice that we make is a hollow display. Any rituals or religious ceremonies that we perform, as in communion, should be accomplished through obedience and love.
Attending church services, serving on a council, providing for a charitable cause (being religious) is not sufficient if we are not doing it out of obedience and dedication to God (1 Samuel 15:22).
When consecrating ourselves, we must look at the choices that we make. There may be assorted options that require few sacrifices. If the choices are easy, should we not take another look at the options?
Is the option attractive? Do I have to change my lifestyle? Is the option missing any moral standards? Making the right choice may involve self-sacrifice and challenging work (Proverbs 14:12).
People can support anything if they have no guidelines for passing judgment on good and bad. We can generally demonstrate that we are correct. Prior to setting any strategy in motion, we need to ask ourselves: is this plan in concordance with God's truth? Is my demeanor satisfying and acceptable to God? (Proverbs 16:2).
We can discover a reason for doing nearly anything, yet God looks behind the reason to the intentions of the heart. We frequently need to settle on decisions in regions where the correct activity is hard to perceive.
We can assist ourselves with settling on such choices by attempting to distinguish our intentions first and afterward ask ourselves, “Would God be satisfied with my explanations behind doing this?” God is not satisfied when we are doing virtuous deeds just because we expect to get something in return (Proverbs 21:2).
How Do I Consecrate Myself for the Lord’s Service?
To be consecrated for service a person must first know Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus tells us about the way to heaven. The gateway to everlasting life (John 10:7-9) is classified as "strait," an old word for a narrow passage.
This does not imply that it is hard to become a Christian, yet that there is just a single lifestyle choice that leads to eternal life with God and not many choose to follow it.
The only way to heaven eternal is by trusting and believing in Christ since he alone died for our transgressions and made us just before God. Living as Christ leads may not be favored by the world’s standards; however, it is the only true way.
Have we counted the cost of being a disciple of the Lord? Do we have what is sufficient in our lives to lay aside everything else to follow Jesus (Luke 14:28-30)? Are we willing to give up something of ourselves to follow the Lord (Matthew 19:16-24)?
This does not mean that those who have financial wealth will not make it to heaven, it is referring to the state of the heart, that some people may be too attached to what they have.
In Romans 12:1-2, Paul says, “I beseech you,” which is an earnest request. Paul is saying that we should listen to him for he has something especially important to say. That is the call. Present your bodies a living sacrifice, which means we are to put aside our wants on a daily basis. We are to devote ourselves irrevocably to God’s service.
What Does it Mean to Consecrate Ourselves to Service?
That is the consecration. Which is your reasonable service, which means to worship the Lord, witness for him, follow the Holy Spirit wherever he leads, and do the work set before us. That is the charge. Be not conformed, but be transformed, live as a new person, render ourselves to God by all that we are, all that we have, and all that we can do. That is the challenge.
Put away our former selves and renew ourselves for the Lord (Ephesians 4:21-23). We are to die to sin and live righteously as the Lord leads. We are to be after the Spirit and not the flesh.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:5-6).
We are to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live righteously (Titus 2:12).
For further reading:
Why Will We Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving?
Is There Such a Thing as Christian Duty?
Can We Serve God Without the Church?
What Does Spiritual Preparation Look Like?
What Does it Mean That Good Works Are the Result of Salvation?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Halfpoint
