When David announces to his leadership assembly in 1 Chronicles 29, “I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able” (v 2), it almost sounds like he is apologizing for a rather paltry contribution! But as we keep reading of the massive quantities of silver, gold, and precious stones, we soon learn to not underestimate what kind of offering a king like David is able to bring. His son Solomon has been chosen for a “great” work, but he is a “young and inexperienced” leader (v 1). So David accepts the challenge with him, and calls upon others to do the same as a leadership team. After making his generous financial commitment publicly known, David boldly turns to his comrades: “Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the LORD?” (v 1-5). The leaders respond “willingly” and “with a whole heart.” Great joy results as these national representatives express their own devotion to God by freely meeting the need that had been placed before them. No generation of God’s people can sidestep the issue raised here. Though much has changed in the world, God’s work continues, and we face the same challenge today: for the work of God and the benefit of His people (the new, living temple), are we prepared to give generously and from the heart? (v 6-9). More striking than the quantity of money given in this chapter is the content of David’s prayer that follows the offering. It begins with a doxology, in which he acknowledges that everything belongs to God anyway. We humans don’t actually “own” anything! The LORD, who rules over everything, possesses the title deed to “all that is in the heavens and in the earth” (v 10-13). Since that’s the case, whenever we “give” something to God, we are merely taking our hands off His property! As David says, “For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You.” Again, all this collected wealth “comes from Your hand and is all Your own.” With this mindset, it becomes a pleasure to invest in the work of God, who has so abundantly blessed us. David recognizes that all life is brief and transient, but God Himself is to be praised forever. Like those who have gone before us, our earthly days are like a shadow; they don’t last. Our lives have no meaning unless grounded in God, who tests our hearts and looks for integrity. So David ends with an appeal to God’s sustaining grace in the lives of Solomon and all the people (v 14-19). Solomon will replace David as king, but he will sit “on the throne of the LORD” (v 23). Leaders come and go. Nations rise and fall. But “Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all” (v 11). For further meditation: