Willingly and Completely

​Last week as I sat in the chair at my dentist’s office, “The Wendy Williams Show” was on the television. Thankfully the volume wasn’t up too high because my ten-year-old daughter was sitting there with me and even though this was daytime programming, some of these talk shows are meant for when children are at school. So as I sat there trying not to pay too much attention so the show wouldn’t attract the attention of my daughter, one particular segment perked my ears.
 
Wendy Williams was discussing a recent alleged incident between Drew Barrymore and Jessica Alba. Some sources say the incident never happened, but nevertheless, Wendy was talking about it that day. Regardless of whether the incident occurred, it was Wendy’s response that caused me to have a conversation with my daughter.
 
Hollywood gossipers said Jessica refused to help Drew with some business questions Drew had. Apparently, people believed Jessica didn’t want to help because she didn’t want her friend competing in a similar space. Wendy then went on to say she totally agreed with Jessica because “why should she give out the mojo.” Apparently, Wendy had no one who helped her get her start in the business. She, along with her husband and son, did it on their own. Would Wendy share her secret recipe for television success? According to her words, “No. Why should she help if no one helped her?”
 
Why are we so afraid to help each other be successful these days? Are we that scared, insecure, and jealous of other people’s success?

​King David had a dream of building a Temple for God. However, according to God’s plan, David wouldn’t be the one to fulfill the dream. His son, Solomon, was the one chosen to the build the Temple. When God told David that he would not be the one to build the Temple, but his son would (1 Chronicles 28:6), did David sulk in a corner and say, “I’m not helping him build it?” No, not at all. In fact, David not only collected materials for the building of the Temple, but he also gave Solomon the plans for building the Temple and the courtyard around the Temple (1 Chronicles 28:11). And right before they anointed Solomon as the new king, King David spoke before all the Israelites gathered in Jerusalem. He told them God had chosen Solomon to build the Temple, that he (David) had done his best to prepare for the building of the Temple by giving things for the construction, and that he (David) was now going to give his own treasures of gold and silver (1 Chronicles 29:1–5). He also challenged the people to give themselves.
 
Did the leaders say, “Heck no, I’m not helping out this family! Why should they get all the success and accolades?” According to 1 Chronicles 29:9, they reacted just the opposite: “The leaders gave willingly and completely to the Lord. The people rejoiced to see their leaders give so gladly, and King David was also very happy.” They watched their humble king encourage the one God had chosen, give willingly to the project, and anoint their new king.
 
When Solomon became king, he prayed and asked God to provide the people who would help him. He needed skilled workers and materials to get the job done. He wasn’t afraid to ask for help because he had watched his father ask for help. Solomon was confident in the plan God had set out, and that God had called him to build the Temple. He just needed to obey God’s laws and do the work with humility and wisdom. He couldn’t have done it without all the help David had already provided nor without the help that was still needed.
 
As I sat there in the dentist’s chair and watched Wendy Williams say she wouldn’t help anyone, I tried my best to contain myself and not make a huge deal of the lies broadcast on the airwaves. I quietly told my daughter, “That’s not the way a Christian should act. We should always be willing to help and encourage someone in his or her walk and calling as best we can. The ways of the world will tell us to be selfish, but God calls us to be humble and to use our gifts to build up the Kingdom.” (Note: I do not know Wendy’s religious beliefs nor was/am I implying Wendy is a Christian.)
 
It shouldn’t matter if anyone helped us get to where we are or not. It shouldn’t be only those who received help see the value in mentoring someone else. We each have gifts God wants to use to build His Kingdom. Don’t be selfish and hold those gifts to yourself. King David could have thrown a temper tantrum and built the Temple in his own strength because the vision was birthed in his heart not Solomon’s heart. But he didn’t. He wanted God’s best, so he obeyed, and he laid the foundation on which Solomon built the Temple. In the capacity David had, even though he wasn’t the one to construct the Temple, he still played a part. He didn’t even live to see the completed Temple.
 
What we do today may not give us fame and glory nor may we ever see our completed work, but it may lay a foundation for future generations to build upon. What’s your part? Are you giving willingly and completely to the service of the Lord?