May 23, 2025

Bob Maas
“David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, ‘Praise be to you, LORD, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, 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, 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 acknowledges God’s ownership and authority over everything in his praise to God. He had the revelation and faith to recognize that God is sovereign and is in complete control. He had lapses in judgment and made mistakes that brought him tremendous hardship and disappointment, but He remained true to the Lord and understood God’s mercy.

Our giving to God is similar to a father giving his child money so he can buy his dad a birthday present. God owns everything and gives us free use of it. Everything comes from God, and anything we give Him belongs to Him. God is pleased when we express faith in Him and honor Him with our wealth. He is greatly pleased when we give generously to His church and help the poor.

When we delight in the Lord, He puts His desires in our hearts so we are motivated to express even greater trust and faith in Him. In this way, His love abounds in us more and more. When we practice our righteousness in secret so that He alone knows what is done, He is faithful to reward us in an infinite variety of ways.