1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 29: All things come from God

Begin in prayer

Before we read David's last words to Israel, let us pray together. Ask the LORD to show us that everything comes from Him, and to lead us to Jesus, His greatest gift.

My soul, you have said to Yahweh, “You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing.”

Psalm 16:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that all things come from You, and show us Jesus, Your greatest gift. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David told the whole assembly that the work was great, because the house was for the LORD God Himself (verse 1). David prepared gold, silver, brass, iron, wood and stones, and gave his own treasure to God's house (verses 2 to 5). The leaders gave freely, and the people rejoiced, because they gave willingly with a perfect heart (verses 6 to 9). David blessed the LORD before all the assembly in a prayer of praise (verses 10 to 13). In the prayer he said that all things come from God, and that what they gave was already God's own (verse 14). Solomon was anointed king, and David died in a good old age, full of days, riches and honor (verses 22 to 28).

As you read 1 Chronicles 29, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

Everything comes from God, so His people give back to Him what is already His.

David told Israel that the work was great, because the house was for the LORD God Himself (verse 1). He gave his own gold and silver to it, and the leaders gave freely, and the people rejoiced (verses 3 to 9). Then David prayed, “all things come from you, and of your own have we given you” (verse 14). He called the people strangers and guests, whose days on earth are like a shadow (verse 15). This teaches that everything we have comes from God, so giving to Him is returning what is already His. It matters because it keeps pride out of giving, and joy goes with it, as verse 9 says. It shows God as the Owner and Giver of all things, to whom greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty belong (verse 11). God did not spare His own Son, and with Him freely gives His people all things (Romans 8 verse 32). Jesus is God's greatest gift (2 Corinthians 9 verse 15).

How does 1 Chronicles 29 show us that everything comes from God, so His people give back to Him what is already His?

David and the leaders gave willingly for God's house.

David had prepared gold, silver, brass, iron, wood and stones for the house (verse 2). He gave his own treasure as well (verse 3). The leaders offered willingly, and the people rejoiced, because they gave with a perfect heart (verses 6 and 9).

David praised God and said that all things come from Him.

David blessed the LORD before all the assembly (verse 10). He said that greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty are the LORD's (verse 11). He said that riches and honor come from God (verse 12). He said that they were giving back what was God's own (verse 14).

God gave His own Son, and in Him He gives all things.

James says every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father (James 1 verse 17). Paul says God did not spare His own Son, and with Him freely gives His people all things (Romans 8 verse 32). Paul calls Jesus God's unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9 verse 15). Everything we have comes from God, and His greatest gift is His Son.

Memorise

For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.

1 Chronicles 29:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I thank God for everything, and have I received His greatest gift, Jesus?

David prayed, “all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” Everything we have is God's gift. God's greatest gift is His Son, Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 9 verse 15).

We have nothing to bring that did not first come from God, and we have sinned against the God who gave it all. Jesus gave His own life. On the cross He bore the punishment for His people's sin, and His death paid for it in full. He rose on the third day, and He gives life to all who believe.

So come to Jesus, and give Him your heart. Turn from your sin and trust Him. God forgives for Jesus' sake all who trust Him, and gives them every gift that Jesus has won.

Parent's note

Tell your children that everything comes from God, and that His greatest gift is His Son, Jesus. Parents, verse 28 tells of David's death, so please explain it gently in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that all things come from Him, and that Jesus is His greatest gift, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ says Yahweh of Armies.

Haggai 2:8

Lord God, thank You that all things come from You, and that Jesus is Your greatest gift. Please turn each of us from sin to receive Him. Help us to give to You gladly this week. Amen.