In a missions conference setting, Missionary Pastor Matt Goins directed attention to 1 Chronicles 29, where King David and the people of Israel joined in the great work of preparing materials for the temple. Pastor Goins noted that this Old Testament account offers clear principles for New Testament believers who are called to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. The advance of the gospel requires man hours, finances, tears, and sacrifice. There is no greater work in which to participate than the global advance of the gospel. Drawing from David’s example, Pastor Goins outlined principles that apply to every believer who desires to take part in God’s work among the nations.
David’s Method for Participating
Doing a great work for God requires participation from every member of the body, not merely those who lead services. David supported the overall effort in a personal, intentional, and wholehearted way. He declared, “Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance” (1 Chronicles 29:2, KJV). The word prepared carries the idea of laying a firm foundation. David did not remain content to delegate tasks while remaining idle. He gathered materials with all his might, making the work his personal business.
Pastor Goins applied this foundational involvement to modern missions. Participation begins at home through daily time with God, catching His vision for souls, dying to self, and living righteously. Children watch what parents prioritise. Commitment to the local church, faithful tithing, and additional giving to missions form part of the foundation. In Acts 13 the Holy Spirit separated Paul and Barnabas from a local church where they were already actively serving. God does not call those who remain uninvolved or half-hearted toward the local body.
David also sacrificed personally and generously beyond the general preparation. “Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house” (1 Chronicles 29:3, KJV). He reached into his own treasury and gave three thousand talents of the finest gold of Ophir and seven thousand talents of refined silver. Pastor Goins illustrated the principle with a modern account of the Rerich Surgical Centre in Honduras. An unsolicited gift of one hundred thousand dollars arrived, followed by a further two hundred thousand dollars from the same couple once the full need became clear. The ministry never solicited the second amount. God provided through people whose hearts were committed to the work. The call is not to match David’s enormous sums or modern large gifts, but to participate according to one’s capacity by grace through faith.
David’s Motivation for Participating
Proper motivation sustains lasting involvement in God’s work. David stated that he gave because he had set his affection on the house of his God. He took high pleasure in the project whose purpose was to exalt God’s name among the nations. Believers have no difficulty supporting what they love. When affection is set on what God loves, resources of time, talent, and treasure follow. David expressed the same heart in the psalm: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8, KJV). Those who set their affection upon the service of God will think no pains or cost too much. Offerings please God when they spring from love. Loving the work of sending missionaries leads to practical participation: preparing children to follow God’s will, releasing them with blessing, and giving to support those who go.
David’s Model for Participating
After giving, David asked, “And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?” (1 Chronicles 29:5, KJV). He set the example and then invited others to fill their hands for service with willing hearts. The chief of the fathers, princes of the tribes, captains, and rulers of the king’s work offered willingly (1 Chronicles 29:6, KJV). David’s personal commitment stimulated others. Collectively they gave even more than David alone. When leaders and households give willingly, the effort multiplies. Pastor Goins observed that those who call for faith-promise missions commitments are themselves already participating. Hebrews 10 urges believers to consider one another and provoke one another unto love and to good works. The example of one prompts the involvement of many.
The Memory and Joy of Participating
The people did not grieve over what they had given. “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, KJV). No one will ever repent of a life given to God or of earthly treasures invested in eternal kingdom work. Understanding who God is and what He is doing produces the desire to give more, not less. David recognised the source of everything when he prayed, “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chronicles 29:14, KJV). All riches and honour come from the Lord. Giving is simply returning what already belongs to Him for the honour of His name.
Pastor Goins closed with the account of one-way missionaries who purchased single tickets and packed their belongings in coffins, knowing they would not return. A. W. Milne served for thirty-five years among a tribe that had martyred previous missionaries. When he died, the people buried him in the centre of the village and inscribed on his tombstone: “When he came, there was no light. When he left, there was no darkness.” Participating in the work of God is worth every cost because the Lord is worthy.
Conclusion
The principles drawn from 1 Chronicles 29 remain applicable. Believers participate in the great work of exalting Christ’s name among the nations by supporting the overall effort at home and in the local church, by giving personally and generously according to ability, by setting affection on God’s purposes, and by following the example that stirs others to willing involvement. The result is not regret but rejoicing, for all things come from the Lord and of His own have His people given to Him. As the conference concludes and ordinary life resumes, commitments made in response to these principles can sustain the advance of the gospel around the world to the praise and glory of God in Christ.
