1 Chronicles 26:20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things. The general idea seems to be that Christians must dedicate themselves to God; and though this is most true, it may be presented so as to hide away the fact that God requires the Christian to dedicate to him all he has, as well as all he is. Still, as in the older times, God is to be served by things as well as by persons. In the text it is noticed that "Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things. It may be well to point out the important relations which things bear to persons. (1) The sense of possession in things. (2) The selection and preservation of things as expressing character. (3) The power of representation in things; a gift may carry a man himself to his friend. (4) The use of things to indicate feeling. It may be said that God does not really care for things," and that all "things" are already his; that he even refuses sacrifice and offerings, and only asks for men's devotion, love, and trust. But if God permits us to have the sense of possession, and, in ever so limited a sense, to call things our own, we may be sure that he does care for things, because they can do just what our voice in worship can do - (1) reveal man to him; and (2) express man's particular emotions to him. We can translate into their fitting meanings other signs than verbal ones; and we can make our acts, our gifts, and our possessions speak his praise, directly, and through others whom we may influence and inspire by the devotion to God of what we have. Then show what our things may be made to express, illustrating from the devotion of our property and acquirements to God's service. (1) Dependence on the living God, who giveth to us "all things richly to enjoy." (2) Thanksgiving to him, whose gifts so manifestly pass our deserts. (3) Consecration of self; for to be acceptable everything must carry to God ourselves - his "living sacrifices." (4) Zeal in his honour, that keeps us anxious to devote to him our best. Plead - where are our "dedicated things"? Are they worthy of us? Are they worthy of the God whom we love, who has done such great things for us? - R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things. |
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