Doug Van Pelt

Big BIG Tires

David, the king of Israel, stood up before the people and told them what he had given to the nation's temple-building program (1 Chronicles 29). He revealed what treasures he had given to the project, above and beyond all the previous giving to that point. Part of me cringes when I hear that, as building programs can be such weird and manipulative events. It seems there's been some abuse (there's at least been the appearance or perception of abuse) in this area, so it's easy to be sensitive to money-raising tactics and the like. But Scripture shows us a blessed and good fund-raising, where David's admission as a leader was apparently a healthy example of leadership in giving. He gave 3,000 talents of gold and silver. 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. They gave toward the work on the temple 5,000 talents and 1,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver... It was a lot of money and the people rejoiced "at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord."

I guess someone has to talk about giving to the Lord, and here is an example of it being done right. I love the idea about secret giving, but this public giving wasn't a show of pride nor self-righteousness (which is what Jesus was attacking when He brought His example of secret giving).

As Solomon began the huge task of building the temple, he sent out letters to other kings, like Hiram, king of Tyre, asking for a skilled man to work on the temple, and big logs. The other king replied with praise to God, and sent a guy named Huram-Abi, who was described as a "man of great skill...trained to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, and with purple and blue and crimson yarn and fine linen. He is experienced in all kinds of engraving and can execute any design given to him." Wow. That's one heck of a resume. This guy had mad skills. It's cool how these talents make a way for the person who has them.

Solomon did something interesting that seems wise: he took a census of all the "aliens" who were in Israel, and put them to work carrying the logs, cutting the stones. 3,600 foremen were used to keep the people working. I like this idea. I like the fact that America lets aliens into its borders. I hate the thought of people beating, torturing, abusing, or persecuting people simply because they come from another nation. I admire the many immigrants that have come before me who landed on these shores and worked really hard to make a living for them and their families. I hope that many aliens coming over have the opportunity to work hard and make a living and a life here. I trust that many are. I hope that none are being lazy and coddled and enabled to start over here with an "easy" life. Living in Texas, I see a lot of workers who are good examples of people that are anxious to work and jump at the chance to earn a living. There's a difference, of course, between slave labor and hard work. Both make look the same at about 3pm, but one should look far different than the other at quitting time (and on payday).