Why Do You Give?

"And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was at the tabernacle of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. [7] On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?"  

1 Chronicles 1:6-7

When I read this passage, the irony stood out to me as never before.  It is ironic because it is in the opposite order of the typical "nominal" Christian.  "Nominal" means, "existing or being something in name or form only."  There are real Christians, and there are nominal ones.  A nominal Christian asks for a thousand things from God in exchange for the promise of a single sacrifice.  Solomon displays the true order demanded by faith.  He made a thousand sacrifices without the guarantee of receiving anything from God.  Those who know God recognize He is a gracious, generous giver.  Sometimes our sacrifices add up to nothing more than bribes.  Even genuine Christians can fall into this error.

Aladdin rubbed the lamp of the Genie and he received three wishes.  Solomon willingly sacrificed to God and God appeared to Solomon.  STOP right there!  God, the Creator of all things, the Over and Above All One, the majestic King appeared to Solomon.  That is a priceless treasure in itself.  This is the God whose audience we desire in our prayers.  God freely gives to those who freely give.  He not only gives things, but He has given Himself.  Jesus came to earth to seek and save the lost, offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin.  I remember a birthday invitation which read, "Please do not bring presents.  Your presence is the gift."  This ought to be our attitude with God.

I have people in my life who seem to seek me out only when they want something from me.  This deeply grieves my spirit.  It saddens me to think people don't care about me as much as what I can give them.  When this happened to Jesus (it must have been constant!), He kept giving.  He kept grieving, but He kept giving.  Notice God's excitement to grant King Solomon's request:  "Ask!  What shall I give you?"  God asked Solomon to ask!  God was so pleased with Solomon, not his sacrifices.  God needs nothing from man, but He delights to receive praise, sacrifice, honor, and love from him.  Because God delights in His people, He delights in granting their requests.  In the Parable of the Son Who Returned, the Father grants his son the part of the inheritance he requested.  Though he knew all his hard-earned money was squandered on harlots he rejoiced to wrap his son in his arms, placed a clean robe on him, put shoes on his feet, placed a ring on his finger, and ordered his servants to kill the fatted calf for a celebration.  It was a celebration of gracious love.  The focus was not on the wrong, indiscretion, or sin of the son, but the son himself.  "My son has returned!"  The presence of the son was the gift, and the father freely gave.

Repentance paves the way to restoration.  Examine your motives in asking anything from God.  Do you order God around as a man does a genie whose lamp he holds in his hands?  Nothing can contain our God.  The universe cannot contain His grace, love, or delight towards mankind.  Give yourself wholly to God, and He will give Himself without measure to you.