How can we apply Araunah's generosity in our community and church? Setting the Scene: Araunah’s Remarkable Offer “Araunah said to David, ‘Take it! My lord the king may do as he pleases with it. See, I give the oxen for burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for a grain offering. I give it all.’” (1 Chronicles 21:23) A plague was ravaging Israel because of David’s sin in taking a census. God directed David to build an altar on Araunah’s threshing floor. Without hesitation, Araunah offered the entire site and everything needed for sacrifice—at his own expense. Key Traits Displayed by Araunah • Immediate willingness—no delay, no haggling • Full surrender—“I give it all,” holding nothing back • Recognition of divine purpose—saw his resources as the Lord’s provision for Israel’s healing • Costly sacrifice—oxen, sledges, and wheat were valuable tools of his trade • Joyful spirit—offered with honor and respect, not grudgingly Principles to Carry in Our Hearts • Everything we steward ultimately belongs to God (Psalm 24:1) • Genuine generosity flows from gratitude, not compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7) • Meeting God-ordained needs is worth any personal cost (Romans 12:1) • Readiness matters—blessing often rides on swift obedience (Proverbs 3:27-28) Putting Araunah’s Example Into Practice in the Local Church 1. Facilities and property – Open our homes for small groups and hospitality. – Share church buildings with fledgling congregations or community ministries needing space. 2. Material resources – Donate tools, vehicles, or equipment when the church faces a repair or outreach project. – Stock food pantries with high-quality items we would gladly serve at our own tables. 3. Skills and professions – Offer professional expertise—legal, medical, mechanical, technical—without expecting payment. – Mentor younger believers in trades or crafts, multiplying usefulness. 4. Financial sacrifice – Give above regular tithes when special kingdom opportunities arise. – Fund mission trips or benevolence funds anonymously, mirroring Araunah’s humble spirit. 5. Time and presence – Volunteer during inconvenient hours, not just when schedules are open. – Stay until the last chair is stacked and the last person is served. Extending Generosity to the Wider Community • Organize “I Give It All” drives—collect school supplies, coats, or disaster-relief goods. • Partner with local agencies, providing church parking lots, buses, or kitchens when crisis hits. • Sponsor neighborhood events—barbecues, sports clinics, job fairs—absorbing costs to build gospel bridges. • Offer counseling, tutoring, or ESL classes free of charge, modeling the grace we have received. Scriptural Echoes of Whole-Hearted Giving • Widow’s mites—Mark 12:41-44: she “put in all she had to live on.” • Early church—Acts 4:32-37: believers sold property; “no needy person was among them.” • Macedonian churches—2 Corinthians 8:1-5: “their deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.” • Mary of Bethany—John 12:3: costly perfume poured out for Jesus. Each instance reinforces Araunah’s pattern: generous hearts move God’s purposes forward. Blessings That Follow Generous Obedience • Unity—shared sacrifice knits believers together (Philippians 2:1-4). • Testimony—outsiders witness tangible love (John 13:35). • Divine multiplication—God supplies seed to sowers (2 Corinthians 9:10). • Spiritual freedom—generosity loosens the grip of materialism (1 Timothy 6:17-19). • Revival momentum—Israel’s plague ceased at Araunah’s threshing floor; our giving can open doors for healing and renewal today. Simple Next Steps • Ask the Lord, “What threshing floor have You placed under my stewardship?” • List resources—possessions, skills, time—then mark what could bless others. • Confer with church leadership about current needs; match your list to those needs. • Act promptly on the first opportunity, remembering Araunah’s immediacy. • Adopt the heart-cry “I give it all,” trusting God to replenish whatever is released. |
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