Though David wasn’t able to build a house for the Lord, he did everything in his power to get the materials and make preparations for the future structure. David insured Solomon’s success, though David would never see it. Dave said, “Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it” (1 Chr. 22:5).
Paul wrote, “[F]or the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children” (2 Cor. 12:14b KJV). The phrase “lay up” in the Greek means to “treasure up” or “store up.” David stored up for Solomon’s future. The writer of Proverbs adds, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children.” David labored feverishly for a future that he wouldn’t get to personally experience. David served his generation, but he also served future generations (Acts 13:36).
There were many well-intentioned saints of past generations who lived only for their day. They were taught that the Lord’s return was imminent and they should take no regard for the future. While we believe the Lord Jesus is coming back, and His return is nearer than before, we should also prepare and live as if He won’t come for another hundred years. Our children, and future generations need to be invested in, even if we never get to experience it for ourselves. Hezekiah didn’t care that future generations would suffer for his mistakes, as long as it was peace and safety in his own days (2 Kings 20:19). That’s not how David thought, and that’s not how we should think either.
The gospel didn’t go with Jesus when He ascended into heaven. No, Jesus had invested the message of the Kingdom into twelve men, and they in turn were to invest it into others (Matt. 28:18-19). The apostle Peter said the promise was for his present generation, and the generations to come (Acts 2:38-39). Beloved, let us lay up for future generations just as David did.