Daily Rock!

What do we do with our time, treasures and talents?  Do they belong completely to the Lord?

Or do we use them for personal gain?

We see this all the time.  A musician whose gift is meant to bless others uses it to turn herself into an object of worship.  A man with great physical strength uses that to intimidate or abuse others rather than to protect.

That is a tempting thing.  To use what God has given us to feed our own agenda or ego.

King David was tempted to do that very thing.

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David had protected a man and his possessions. The man was  Nabal and David protected his sheep and shepherds, pretty much being a wall of protection around them.  When he heard it was sheep-shearing time, he asked Nabal for some provisions.  But Nabal insulted David's men and refused to pay back the good deed.  We read David's response in 1 Samuel 25:21-22 (NIV)

 "It's been useless—all my watching over this fellow's property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good.  May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!"" 

 

Not an idle threat, his men were strapping on swords and getting ready to do some business here.  Notice what is missing here? 

Previously David had consulted with the Lord before going into battle.  There is no prayer here, just human wisdom.  I've been insulted, I have an army, the gloves are off!

David is mentioning God, but he is not consulting God, at all.  By putting God into his agenda, it can seem righteous, but it is not.

Nabal's wife, however, heard all about it and greeted David on her own with the provisions.  She reasons with David, and reminds him of what is right.  Notice even the subtle reminder of his killing Goliath (like stones from the pocket of a sling) David your victories are in the Lord, for the Lord.

 "Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God, but the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling.  When the Lord has fulfilled for my lord every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him ruler over Israel,  my lord will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant." vv 29-31 (NIV)

David saw Abigail as being sent from God, and called off his plan.

"David said to Abigail, "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me.  May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands."vv 32-34 (NIV)

David was a talented musician and warrior.  But the music and the strength was not given to him to feed his own ego.

We need to remember why we were given the time, talents and treasures we have.  It is important for us to examine our hearts and pray that the Lord is glorified in our lives by everything we say and do.