1 Chronicles 29:16-17 O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
David prayed after he and the people had gathered everything needed for the building of a glorious temple for the presence of God on earth. He told God that they offered it all willingly. He said that all the store they prepared came from God and belonged to Him anyway. They gave what was God’s. And they did so with glad and cheerful hearts.
When we bring our offerings to the Lord we sing: “We give Thee but Thine own, Whate’er the gift may be; All that we have is Thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from Thee.” God gives money, jobs, good things, and blessings so that we may use it in His service and give back to Him what belongs to Him. We respond to the Gospel by giving our tithes and offerings willingly to God for His service and mission and ministry. We acknowledge that everything we have comes from Him, and we live our lives in thanks and praise. Our giving expresses that faith. We belong to Him.