This is the eighth in a series of reflections offered as part of my service with the Stewardship Ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Hickman, Neb., where Anne and I are members.

King David’s life contains much that speaks to us as a caution to avoid, rather than a cause to embrace. And yet, despite his many flaws that show him to be as frail as we are, he embodies a deep faith and a powerful trust in God.

At the end of his kingship, David speaks to the people, pledging his wealth for God’s temple—a temple God told him he would not build, because of his sins. After leading by the example of his giving, he asks the assembly to follow him one more time: “Now, who else is willing to contribute generously this day to the LORD?” (1 Chronicles 29:5b, New American Bible)

God inspires the people to respond. They give and then they celebrate: “The people rejoiced over these free-will offerings, which had been contributed to the LORD wholeheartedly” (1 Chronicles 29:9a, NAB).

In response to their generosity, King David does not thank them. Instead, he blesses God, saying:

Riches and honor are from you,
and you have dominion over all.
In your right hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.
Therefore, our God, we give you thanks
and we praise the majesty of your name (1 Chronicles 29:12–13, NAB).

If we can imagine ourselves gathering in this assembly, we might be tempted to feel pride. Here is our great king and there is an amazing pile of riches for the construction of a beautiful temple to the God who has chosen us from among all peoples. But our king knows our hearts and so David prays to God,

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should have the means to contribute so freely? For everything is from you, and we only give you what we have received from you. For we stand before you as aliens: we are only your guests, like all our fathers. Our life on earth is like a shadow that does not abide. O LORD our God, all this wealth that we have brought together to build you a house in honor of your holy name comes from you and is entirely yours (1 Chronicles 29:14–16, NAB).

Soon we will enter our season of meditating upon our calling to serve as stewards of the time, talent, and treasure God has entrusted to us. King David’s witness reminds us to pray for our leaders, so they may lead by example, asking us to do only what they themselves have first done. Second, God calls us to rejoice over our wholehearted giving to him. Third, we do not give in expectation of receiving thanks for our gifts, but rather as a way to create the opportunity to bless God and to give him thanks. Finally, King David reminds us that everything we have—absolutely everything, even our lives—comes from God and is his always and forever. What a privilege to offer our all to him and his glory!