Gratitude For God’s Gifts

Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.

1 Chronicles 29:12-14

Although God prevented King David from building the great Temple in Jerusalem, the king gathered some materials so that his son Solomon could build the Temple. The people gave generously for the future building of the Temple. David was touched by their generosity and expressed his praise to God in prayer.

At this time of the year, when people express their generosity by giving gifts to each other, David’s words can help us remember that everything we have comes from God. Genuine giving expresses gratitude to God. We give in response to God’s gifts to us.

• Dear Lord, everything I have comes from you, and I give you only what you first gave me . . .