1 Chronicles 29:14

14 "Yet my people and I cannot really give you anything, because everything is a gift from you, and we have only given back what is yours already.

1 Chronicles 29:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Chronicles 29:14

But who am I
Originally dust and ashes, a sinful creature, unworthy to receive anything from God, and of having the honour of doing anything for him:

and what is my people:
subject to him, the least of all people, separated from the nations round about them, and despised by them:

that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort?
that they, who were a poor people, some years ago brought out of Egyptian bondage, should now be possessed of such an affluence, and have such a generous heart and liberal spirit given them, as to contribute in so large and liberal a manner as they had done; all was owing to the goodness of God to them, and the efficacy of his grace upon them:

for all things come of thee;
all good things, temporal and spiritual; the Lord is the fountain of goodness, and Father of mercies:

and of thine own have we given thee;
for there is nothing a man has but he has received from the Lord, and therefore can give nothing to him but his own, see ( Romans 11:35 Romans 11:36 ) .

1 Chronicles 29:14 In-Context

12 All riches and wealth come from you; you rule everything by your strength and power; and you are able to make anyone great and strong.

13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and we praise your glorious name.

14 "Yet my people and I cannot really give you anything, because everything is a gift from you, and we have only given back what is yours already.

15 You know, O Lord, that we pass through life like exiles and strangers, as our ancestors did. Our days are like a passing shadow, and we cannot escape death.

16 O Lord, our God, we have brought together all this wealth to build a temple to honor your holy name, but it all came from you and all belongs to you.