“… And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?” (1 Chronicles 29:5)

David, king of Israel, was coming to the end of his reign over all of Israel. David had had a consuming desire to build a house for God to dwell in upon the earth. But God had rejected David and had chosen David’s son Solomon to build the House of God. However, David had gathered the materials which Solomon would use to build the House of God, even of his own gold and silver, over and above all that he had prepared for the holy house. Then David asked the question to his subjects: “who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?”

David was asking his people, “Who is willing to give of his material gain unto the Lord?” In verses 6-9, the Bible relates, “Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy” (verse 9).

David also stated that not only had the people offered willingly, with a perfect heart, but also that God had given them strength to offer willingly, (verse 14a), “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort?” (Or, what is my people that they obtained strength to do so?) And in verse 17, David said he gave in the uprightness of his heart, and his people gave with joy unto the Lord of their goods to build His house, willingly.

This same question is relevant for God’s people today. Who is willing to consecrate, or set aside, of their gold and silver; their talents; their strength; and their body, soul and spirit to carry out the Work of God in His Kingdom?

The only ones who are wiling to give their all are those:

1)    Who have a perfect heart; that is, only those who have been born again by the Spirit of God; for these alone have been given the Seed of God in their heart (1 John 3:1-24). This means they have been regenerated and made a New Creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17); which means that Christ is now living in their heart (Galatians 2:20); which means that the Love of God has been shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost given unto them (Romans 5:5); which gives them a perfect heart before God in Christ, as they love the Lord God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and love their neighbor as they do themselves (Matthew 22:37-40).

2)    Only those born again by the Spirit of God can See and Enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:3, 5). These alone can perceive His spiritual Kingdom and are the only ones who have the indwelt power to perform His Commandment of Love which is the Law of His Kingdom (Ephesians 1:19; 3:20). Therefore, with the inner spiritual ability to see and enter His Kingdom, the believer is equipped to perform for God. They have the mind of Christ.

3)    Then the born again ones by the Spirit of God, must not only be hearers of God’s Word, but must be “doers” (James 1:22-25). The Bible speaks in (Hebrews 10:38) that the just (justified in Christ’s Atonement at Calvary, and resting in Christ’s finished work of Redemption for their Salvation) shall live by faith (or by Christ living in them). Christ takes His Word and works in you, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Then in (Philippians 4:13), Paul ceases all our excuses for not performing God’s Command, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Therefore, those born again love God first; have the ability to see and enter into His Kingdom work; and then have the Power of God, the Spirit of God living within the believer; thus all excuses are eliminated for not consecrating their all to God.

However, it is not partial commitment that God commands of His children, but total commitment. It is not that you go through the motions of serving Him, but you must:

1)    Count the cost and deny all for His Name’s sake. You must be single eyed and have only one Master – Christ, and not your fleshly desires (Matthew 6:19-24).

Luke 14:26, 27, 33:  (26)If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  (27)  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  (33)  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

There will be a total giving of body, soul, and spirit; for they are not their own, but have been bought with a price – the precious Blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). It is the only way to win the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27). It is the only way to know the Will of God (Romans 12:1-2). It is the only way to fight the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Romans 7:15-25).

2)    You must serve Christ with “Joy.”

Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. (1 Chronicles 29:9)

I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. (1 Chronicles 29:17)

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

God said through the Apostle Paul, “For God loveth a cheerful giver.”

Reader, are you willing to consecrate your all to Christ? If you are born again by the Spirit of God, then you are without excuse if you are not serving God willingly with joy.