03 The Affection Set
The Affection Set "I have set my affection to the house of my God" 1 Chronicles 29:3
David’s attachment to the house and ordinances of God was strong and ardent. He often gives expression to it in the Psalms, and when he had collected the princes and people of Israel around him, just before his death, to direct and stimulate them in reference to the building of the temple — he tells them of the great provision he had made for it, and accounts for his care and liberality by saying, "I have set my affection to the house of my God." Every true, well instructed Christian, feels the same, and can adopt the language as his own — in this light let us look at it, and apply the words to, A PLACE. In a changeable climate like ours, places for the worship of God must be raised, and as where the Lord’s people meet, he always meets with them — we call every such place, a house of God. Here he is worshiped, honored, and glorified. Here his ordinances are administered, his people meet, his presence is enjoyed, and his promises are fulfilled. Of such a place, the believer may well say, "I have set my affection to the house of my God," and therefore I will support it, I will visit it, yes, I will make it my spiritual home.
Beloved, can you speak thus? Do you love the habitation of God’s house, and the place where his honor dwells? If so, look at the house in debt — will you not make some sacrifice to remove it? Or, it is thinly attended — will you not endeavor to fill it? Or, it is perhaps unfinished — will you not make some effort to have it completed? You love God’s house, then ask — What do you spend on God’s house, and what on your own? Is there a fair proportion? You love it, that is right — but how much will your love lead you to subscribe weekly towards its support? What is your love worth? One penny per week? Well, if poor, it may be all you can afford, and God, who accepts according to that a man has, and not according to that a man has not — will approve and be pleased with it. But if you subscribe a penny, when you could afford a shilling; or if you subscribe a shilling when you can afford a pound — God cannot be pleased with it, or accept of it. Let your conduct and contributions prove, that you have set your affection to the house of your God. Apply the words to, A PEOPLE. God’s house is his redeemed people. Every church is a house for God, hence Paul in writing to the Hebrews says, "Whose house are you." Then we say, "I have set my affection on God’s people" — as God’s people are banded together for his glory, and engaged in his service. If this is the case, you will cover their faults, and not expose them, for love covers a multitude of sins. You will prefer their company, for love always associates with its objects. You will sympathize with them in sickness and sorrow, under losses and crosses. You will assist them in poverty, and rejoice with them in plenty. You will esteem and think more highly of a poor saint — than a rich sinner. You will identify yourself with them, and travel to glory in their company.
If you have set your affection on God’s people, you will speak for them, to vindicate them; you will speak of them, to commend them; and you will speak to them, to encourage them. You will feel towards them pity — if poor, or suffering. You will feel towards pleasure — if well supplied, and happy. You will feel towards love — let their cases and conditions be as they may. You will act for them, to benefit and advantage them, and you will act for them on principle, and according to the means with which God has favored you. You will meet with them to encourage, and assist them, and to enjoy their society, and devotions.
Affection always leads us to sympathize with each other, both in spirituals and in temporals. If a man were to say, I love my child — and yet starve it; or I love my wife — and yet neglect her; or I love my garden — and yet let it lie waste and uncultivated — could we believe him? To this purpose, John speaks, "down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him."
If we set our affection upon a place — we shall wish to be there, to see it, to possess it, and to enjoy it. Just so of the house of God on earth, and of our Father’s house in Heaven. If we set our affection on a people — we shall desire to be with them, to be of them. Just so, if we love the church as the household of God, we shall wish to be of the family, and to be with them wherever they are, whether on earth, or in Heaven.