Encountered another of those “who am I?” questions this morning. But this one has a twist I’m not sure I’ve ever paused and chewed on before.

Last week, it was “Who am I?” and “Who are we?” that You, O God, should have redeemed us as Your own — who are we, O Lord, that You should do so much for us? This morning, though, the awe-invoking question on David’s lips is, who are we that we could do anything for You?

David has just drawn down his savings account and reduced his kids’ inheritance significantly as he’s contributed generously to the treasury from which the Lord’s house is to be built, and he invites all those in his kingdom to do likewise (1Chron. 29:3-5). And the people respond. And in a pretty big way (2Chron. 29:6-8). And, perhaps, in a somewhat surprising way.

Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

(1Chronicles 29:9 ESV)

The people rejoiced because they had given willingly . . . You sense a prevailing euphoria among a people who have collectively reached deep into their 401(k)s and IRAs. They gave. They gave generously. And they are amazed at their giving. Not just at what they gave, but at how they gave it — willingly and freely. Can anyone say, “A moving of the Spirit?”

Cue David’s “who am I?” question.

“But 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. For we are strangers before You and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. 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. I know, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to You. O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.”

(1Chronicles 29:14-18 ESV)

Chew on that for a bit.

Where we might be prone to view whatever giving we do as an “act of obedience” or as a pious obligation, David’s going, “Wow! I get to give? Who am I? We get to give? Who are we?”

Who am I, that the Lord has given me anything from which to give from? Who am I, to be entrusted with such a stewardship? Who am I, to be able to contribute in some small way to making known His unfathomable ways?

Lord, I’m just a stranger and a sojourner. My days on earth so brief compared to the days of abiding in Your presence. God, You’re just testing my heart, aren’t You? But You have also moved my heart to honor You with these temporary treasures. And You “have pleasure” in my giving.

Really? I can bring You pleasure through my possessions which are really Your possessions? Evidently.

O, to offer willingly. O, to give freely out of whatever stores He has freely given us. O, to know the joyous euphoria of having a little less wealth for the sake of wanting to make a little more known His holy name.

“O LORD . . . keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.”

To give to God is, in and of itself, a gift of God. Isn’t it?

To give to God is a gift of the Father who has graciously modeled sacrificial giving for His children. A gift of the Son who freely gave fully of Himself for His brothers and sisters. A gift of the Spirit as He stirs the thoughts and hearts of those called to be His people to give in response. A gift of faith which holds loose our worldly wealth because we know we are storing up treasures in heaven (Mt. 6:19-20). A gift we should want to receive so that we too can rejoice. So that we too can know something of the euphoric joy of offering willingly and giving freely.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.