Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Samuel 8:7 (New Living Translation)

David brought the gold shields of Hadadezer’s officers to Jerusalem

David captured gold items from a defeated enemy. He brought to gold to Jerusalem to use for God.

Let’s step through this one. The enemy was evil, no respect for God the creator. God helps David defeat this enemy. David confiscates the gold. David brings the gold to God.

Did God need this gold?

What do we give to God? Does God need what we give? Does God want us to give to create a closer relationship with God? Where do we get the stuff we bring to God? How do we obtain it? Any more questions we’d rather not answer this morning?

I contribute money to a local church that I attend. That money pays for the time of people who can work in the community and in the church for God. I am not alone in this giving as countless persons have done the same for some 20 centuries. I am blessed in that I don’t live in a time a place where I conquer evil enemies each summer and bring captured goods back home. I don’t have to decide what David had to decide.

Still, some questions we can keep in mind.