David Chose the Right Treasure

In the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Donovan chose the wrong Grail cup. When given the same choice, Indiana Jones chose rightly. On the table were gold, bejeweled, and richly designed cups. But Indy chose a simple wooden vessel, "the cup of a carpenter," and he passed the test!

King David, too, possessed the spiritual discernment to choose the right treasure. He could have been eaten up by disappointment at God’s rejection of his request to build a temple. Instead, he made preparations for his son Solomon to do so (v. 1). At a public assembly, he had a decision to make: How much to give toward the project? He’d already allocated significant resources from the royal treasury (v. 2), and he could have chosen to do nothing. Instead, motivated by “devotion to the temple of my God,” he also gave significantly out of his own personal treasures (vv. 3–5).

David gave publicly, not for the praise of others but to set a good example (vv. 6–9). He personally gave 110 tons of gold and 260 tons of silver. He inspired the national leaders, and they also gave generously—190 tons of gold and 380 tons of silver, in addition to large quantities of bronze, iron, and precious jewels. There was no coercion involved. The giving was done “freely and wholeheartedly” as an act of consecration to the Lord (vv. 5, 9). The people rejoiced over the godly generosity of their leaders!

David was much more wealthy and powerful than the rich young man in yesterday’s reading, but all his possessions didn’t own him. He knew: “Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand” (v. 14). He didn’t trust in riches. Instead, his greatest treasure was his relationship with God!

Pray with Us

Today, as we conclude our prayers for Moody Publishers, join us on behalf of the Sales staff—Adam Dalton, Mark Chase, Pamela Wade, and Richard Knox—who work hard to bring Moody Publishers products to the public. Their service blesses our readers!

BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Associate Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He has just published his first book, On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.