Generous, Day 2 - Thank God

David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.  But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”  1 Chronicles 29:10-14

David loved God.  The Bible describes him as a “man after God’s own heart”(1 Samuel 13:14).  David wasn’t perfect.  In fact, if you know his story, you know that he made tremendous mistakes all through his life, including adultery and murder!  Yet in his imperfection, he knew something perfectly well – He knew that everything worthy that he did, everything he had and everything he was came from God. 

The moment of worship we see in this passage was the completion of a “capital campaign to build a temple for God”.  As the leader, David led the way with his personal, sacrificial generosity and then challenged the people by asking   “Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD ?” (1 Chr. 29:9), implying that generosity and consecration (being set apart for God’s purposes) are linked.

The response of the people was overwhelming and David thanks God for this response.  In his praise he acknowledges several things.  First he says that everything belongs to God in heaven and earth (Psalm 24:1). I don’t think anyone would argue with that…after all, He is God! But then he reminds us that God is not only the owner of all things, he is the originator and source of all things.  All things come from God, whether it be wealth,power,wisdom or influence.  He says that even our generosity comes from Him.   

When James says that “every good and perfect gift comes from above” (James 1:17), he is repeating the thoughts of David. So is Paul when he says “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Rom. 11:36).   Moses warned the Israelites not to forget God when they moved into the promised land (Deut 8).  His concern was that the accumulation of stuff would blind them to the fact that blessings are received not earned…they are also the gift of God.

Today as you think about all that you have…your health, your wealth, your life, your breath, your hope, your joy, your peace, your family, your friends, your home, your job and your future…would you take a moment to thank the owner and originator of all those things?  Thank God for his generosity to you!


Generosity Challenge – Help in an area that you normally would not – for example, do someone else’s chore at home, assist a coworker in their responsibility at work, take a neighbors trash can back from the curb – and try to do it secretly if possible!


Sun Valley Church, Used by Permission