“But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You.” 1 Chronicles 29:14
King David has assembled all the Leaders of Israel to Jerusalem. He then explains how it had been his intention to build a Temple, but God said “You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood” and that “Solomon is the one who shall build My house”. After reciting what that would require, he then tells them what he has contributed and asks them to consider what they could give.
They respond quite liberally where we read “the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly”! Next, in Verses 10-19, we have David’s prayer of thanks for this spirit among his people, and in its midst, Today’s Verse. I am struck by his humility and recognition that everything we have comes from God; that when he and the people give, they are just giving back to Him what came from Him. When you see how much David himself gave, it was Quite Substantial; in fact, downright Staggering!!! And yet he does so with such complete and openhearted willingness!
This reminds me of Paul addressing the Corinthians about their giving, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”