How Do You Measure (2 Chronicles 4)

2 Chronicles 4:18 Solomon made all these vessels, so many in number that the weight of the bronze could not be determined.

Solomon wanted the temple of God to be made with very specific instructions and end results. However, he did not keep a tally of how much bronze was used or how many items were made inside. He didn’t keep a toll on how much he gave to God. He did not make this temple for show, to be the “best that ever was.” This temple was made, was given, as a gift to God with no receipt to show how much was put into it. 

Many people keep records of what they have given to church or other charities for tax purposes. So they can see at the end of the year how much they have given. This is understandable for those who need help in tax season. But some people give and want receipts so they can boast about what they donated or how many hours they have given. Society today rushes to post everything on social media. I have been guilty of it as well. I use it mostly to share my kids with family so I don’t have to send multiple texts or emails, but I am guilty of posting things to show what we have done. When you make public posts about what you have done for someone else, it becomes an ego feed. We are a “like” culture. We post and become invested in how many “likes” we get. The only “like” that matters is the one we will never see, because God doesn’t do social media. We need to refrain about sharing posts about how much we have donated, or posting pictures about our kids helping at the food shelters. This is the same about how many presents kids get for Christmas, but that’s a different blog post. 

Friends, we are called to give freely, to not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing when it comes to giving. We should just give because we want to pour out the love Christ has given to us. We should just bring clothes and items to charities without asking for a receipt to show what we have done. We should put extra cash in the basket at church so there is no trail for who gave. We should want to bless others without getting recognized. God sees us. God sees you. He knows what you are giving, and how much of your heart is behind it. Let your blessings be just that: a blessing.