Do I have to? – October 3, 2022

Read: 1 Chronicles 29:1,2,10-18

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
1 Chronicles 29:17

Do I have to?

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Do I HAAAVVVVEEE to?” Mike whined.

Mike was not happy. He really didn’t feel like doing what his mother had just asked him to do. Maybe he could get out of doing it. Maybe someone else would do it. So he whined.

Complaining about something we’re asked to do seems to be something we all do at some point.

Listen again to David’s words—does he sound like someone who is complaining about what he is doing?

“I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you” (1 Chronicles 29:17).

David doesn’t sound like he is complaining about some he has to do. No, David sounds excited about something he gets to do! That is a big difference, isn’t it?

David had in mind all that God had done for him. God guarded him from wild animals when he was a shepherd, protected him in battle, made him king of Israel, and best of all—said that the Savior who would come to forgive all of his sins would come from David’s own family!

That made David joyful and thankful. So, he gave a great and generous offering to build a big church for God. David didn’t do it because he had to, he did it because he wanted to. God’s love for David changed David’s attitude!

God’s love for you does the same! He guards and protects us, he gives us things we need to live each and every day like clothing and food, and best of all, he sent his Son, Jesus to die for our sins. Your God really loves you!

And that love makes us to do the same as David—we listen to what our God tells us to do and we try to do it not because we have to, but because we want to as a way of saying thank you to God.

It means we get to go to church, we want to read and hear God’s Word, to have a devotion, to give an offering; to listen to our parents; to obey our teachers… not because we have to, but out of love for God, we want to.

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, sometimes I find it hard to do the things you want me to do. Please forgive me. Help me remember how much you love me. May it work in my heart the same attitude David had—a thankful, joyful attitude that wants to do the things you ask me to do. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Name at least one thing you have complained about doing today.
• Name three things God let happen today that makes you thankful.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What kind of things do you find hard to do without complaining?
• How can you show a thankful attitude in the things you do?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What things does God ask you to do that you find hard? Why do you think they are hard for you?
• What is the difference in attitude between I have to… and I want to…? How will that show itself in what you do?