Giving That Honors God

By Romina Chevren

“Then King David said to the whole assembly: ‘My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God. With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities. Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: 3,000 talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and 7,000 talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?’ Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. They gave toward the work on the temple of God 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze and 100,000 talents of iron. Anyone who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.”—1 Chronicles 29:1–9 (NIV)

King David stood before the people of Israel in a moment charged with vision and reverence. As he addressed the assembly, he didn’t begin with blueprints or numbers—he began with God. “The task is great,” he said, “because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God.” Right away, David clarified something crucial: This was not just another building. It wasn’t a political monument or a royal showcase. It was a holy temple, set apart for the worship and glory of God.

David had spent a lifetime as a warrior, king, and worshiper. Now, at the end of his reign, he couldn’t build the temple himself—God had told him that task would fall to his son Solomon. But David wasn’t stepping away from the vision. He poured himself into the preparation with wholehearted devotion.

He didn’t just contribute from the public treasury; he gave from his own personal wealth. Gold, silver, precious stones—offered not from obligation or showmanship, but out of a deep love and awe for the God who had been his Shepherd and Sustainer. His giving wasn’t simply generous, it was worshipful. And in this moment, David did what all true leaders do: He led by example.

What followed was just as powerful. The leaders of families, military commanders, tribal officials, and administrators responded to David’s invitation. Without pressure or coercion, they gave willingly. They gave not just out of duty, but with hearts that burned with reverence. And the people rejoiced, not because of the wealth amassed, but because of the spirit of unity and wholehearted giving that filled the camp.

This passage reveals something timeless: True worship involves sacrifice, not because God needs our gold, but because giving demonstrates what holds our hearts. When the people brought their offerings, they weren’t merely financing a project—they were declaring that God was worthy of their best.

In our own lives, we may not be building a temple of stone, but we’re always building something—our homes, our churches, our ministries, our relationships. And each one is an opportunity to ask, “What am I offering to God?”

It’s easy to think generosity only counts when the numbers are large, but Scripture is clear: God looks not at the amount, but at the heart. Whether we give financially, serve with our time, or pour out our prayers and energy for others, the question isn’t how much, but why? Are we offering what we have because we love Him? Are we giving from a willing heart?

Like David and the leaders of Israel, we’re called to give not just from abundance, but from devotion. We live in a world where it’s tempting to calculate value in terms of return, recognition, or reward. But God honors the unseen gifts—the ones made in secret, with joy, with love, and without expecting anything in return.

May our giving—of time, talent, and treasure—always echo David’s prayerful devotion: “Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?” Because when we give from a willing heart, we participate in something far greater than ourselves—we worship the God who is worthy of it all.

Pause: Take a moment and reflect on this: When was the last time you gave something that cost you—time, energy, or resources—but did it purely out of love for God?

Practice: Today, identify one way you can give sacrificially and joyfully. Maybe it’s offering help to someone in need, serving in your church, or giving generously without being asked. Whatever it is, do it as unto the Lord.

Pray: Lord, You’re worthy of my very best. Help me give not just what’s convenient, but what’s consecrated. Teach me to worship with a willing heart, just like David and the people of Israel. Let every gift I bring—great or small—be an offering of love and devotion to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.