How can we apply the principle of giving our best to God daily? Seeing the Gold in 2 Chronicles 3:5 “He paneled the main hall with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold and decorated with palm trees and chains.” (2 Chronicles 3:5) Solomon didn’t settle for ordinary lumber and cheap metal. He purposefully chose the best materials—cypress, fine gold, careful artistry—to honor the Lord. The verse captures a timeless principle: God deserves our finest, not our leftovers. What Solomon’s Temple Teaches about Excellence • Intentionality—each piece of wood and gold was selected on purpose. • Expense—gold was costly, yet Solomon found God worthy of it. • Beauty—the palm trees and chains added artistry, reflecting God’s own creative glory. If bricks and beams mattered that much, how much more our daily words, deeds, and thoughts? Daily Ways to Offer Our Finest • Time: Give God the first moments of the day in Scripture and prayer, not the drowsy minutes at night (Proverbs 3:9: “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest”). • Talents: Use your strongest skills in service—teaching, hospitality, craftsmanship, administration—performed “for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). • Thought Life: Guard mental space; meditate on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable (cf. Philippians 4:8). • Work Ethic: Arrive early, finish well, and refuse half-hearted effort, because “whatever you do…do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). • Resources: Budget generosity first, not last. The widow’s two small coins pleased Jesus more than large surplus gifts (Luke 21:3-4). Guarding Against Half-hearted Offerings Malachi 1:8 exposes the danger of giving damaged sacrifices. Today that looks like: – Rushed worship. – Distracted prayers. – Minimal effort at church or work. – Giving only what we never miss. The remedy is remembering God’s worthiness and viewing every task as an altar. Encouragement from Other Passages • Romans 12:1—offer your body “as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” • Mark 12:30—love God “with all your heart…soul…mind…strength.” • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7—sow generously and give cheerfully; God multiplies the harvest. Putting It into Practice Today 1. Set aside prime, unhurried time for the Lord before anything else. 2. Choose one area—work, family, ministry—where excellence has slipped; restore gold-level effort. 3. List resources (money, skills, tools) and earmark the best portion for God’s purposes. 4. Invite accountability from a mature believer who will notice when the “gold plating” fades. Solomon’s temple shines across centuries as a reminder: God is worthy of our finest every single day. |
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