A Lesson in Succession

I’m reading I Chronicles 28 and 28 where David is sharing the plans for the Temple which his son Solomon is to build. The lavish detail is remarkable. David is not able to build the Temple but his son is selected by God to do so. David goes to great lengths to assure the success of the project. David is extremely invested in this project. While God will not allow him to lead the construction, he is totally committed to making sure his son succeeds.

Along with procuring all the necessary building materials, David makes an incredible statement: “And now, because of my devotion to the construction of the Tempe of God, I am giving all of my own private treasures of gold and silver to help in the construction.” (I Chronicles 29:3)

Along with many other more obvious points, I see the following:

• Because David is not allowed to construct the Temple, he could have removed himself from the process (and kept all his valuables). 

• David did everything in his power to make sure the Temple was built according to the standards that God required; his money was needed to make that happen.

• David set his son up for success.Note: David is not coddling Solomon. He is not trying to cover for Solomon’s weaknesses. He is not creating entitlement on the part of his son. David believed in the project and in his son, therefore, he is willing to invest, heavily. 

My generation must invest in the next generation. There are things that we will not accomplish for the Lord that will be accomplished by those coming behind us. This is no time to hoard our resources. The wisdom, expertise and resources we have accumulated must be shared if the job is to be accomplished. 

Younger folks are not snowflakes. They’re not buttercups. They are the generation that is chosen by God to fulfill a great work; we elders have a vital part to play in that!

One Reply to “A Lesson in Succession”

  1. Excellent post Rick. My Pastor and I are working very hard to have everything in place for the next leader of our church. At 69 and 66 years of age, respectively, we know we cannot keep up the current pace forever, and God has given us the health and strength to press onward.
    It is exciting to be working to ensure the success of the next generation, and as you so aptly show in your post it takes a lot of planning as well as resources to make that happen.
    To God be the glory!

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