God's Generosity

Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. 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.”

- 1 Chronicles 29:10-14, God’s Generosity

King David loved God and had a proper perspective on what he had: it was all from God: “For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” In his understanding, he gave back to God out of what God had given him. David could give nothing to God that God had not given him.

I watched in amazement for three years as our first child grew and developed. We, her parents, shaped her personality, intelligence, and skills. At the birth of our second child, I realized we had not much shaped our first child to the extent I thought we had. Our children came out of the womb with their unique personalities, not with blank slates for us to help create them. They were gifts from God to be nurtured, loved, and enjoyed with thankfulness. God gave; we received. God trusted us as parents; we began to trust God with our children. God told us how to raise them at their baptisms; we committed to raise them to know and love Jesus.

Having this perspective about our children has helped us to be better parents, who are deeply appreciative to God. Having the perspective of King David, also helps us appreciate the abundance of God’s good and generous gifts to us. Thankfulness to God moves us away from a scarcity mentality, in which we think we do not have enough, and into a place of generosity, knowing how generous God has been to us.

Where do you see God’s generosity to you in your life?

Prayer

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. For everything in heaven and on earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all. Therefore, help us with the spirit of gladness and generosity to present the offerings and oblations of our lives and labors to you, O Lord. Amen.