Giving to God

What do you have that you did not receive? (1 Corinthians 4:7)

We actually cannot give God anything that He has not first given to us. David recognized this fact when the leaders of Israel gave so generously for the building of the temple. In his prayer of praise to God he said, “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. 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). David knew he and his people had not given anything to God that wasn’t His already. Even our service to God comes from His hand. As the prophet Isaiah said, “Lord, … all that we have accomplished you have done for us” (Isaiah 26:12, niv). Paul summed it up rather conclusively when he said of God, “Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:25). When our every breath is a gift from God, there’s really nothing left to give that hasn’t been first given to us. Where does that leave us? It leaves us in the blessed position of being eleventh-hour workers in God’s kingdom (Matthew 20:1–16). It leaves us going home at the end of the day from God’s vineyard profoundly grateful, knowing that the gracious landowner has been generous beyond all measure. In a word, it leaves us content, and “there is great gain in godliness with contentment” (1 Timothy 6:6).