Daily Bible Blog

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.                                                             1 Chronicles 29:14-16 (ESV)

Bible Reading Comments

David has just led the people in giving toward the building of a temple for God.  David is also nearing the end of his life, and in the verses above, he reflects on the idea of “giving to God”.  One of the reasons I enjoy spending talking with people who are in the last years of their life on earth is that they tend to have a healthier perspective on eternal things than younger folks.  David basically says, “Yeah, we gave a lot of gold and silver and things to God, and we felt really good about it, but the reality is … HE GAVE IT TO US in the first place.”  It is just that kind of perspective that can help us as we manage “our” money.  It all came from HIM in the first place.

Prayer

Father in heaven, I ask that You remind us daily of YOUR goodness to us, and that in Your grace we would become/remain a grateful people who see our role as living faithfully as stewards of YOUR resources.  Be glorified in us, I ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.