有一年，我們教會的領袖邀請大家在固定每週的奉獻之外，再為興建一棟新的體育館奉獻，這個室內運動空間可用來服務我們社區中的家庭。經過禱告，也考慮到我因身體障礙而需要的醫療費用後，我詢問丈夫：「你確定我們有辦法這樣做嗎？」他點點頭，說：「我們只是把原本就屬於上帝的歸還給祂，祂必定會供應我們的一切需要。」上帝確實如此！如今十多年過去了，我們教會仍然在那個體育館，藉著服事人來事奉耶穌。

在歷代志上29章，大衛王向以色列的領袖們表示，他完全支持他兒子所羅門作為上帝所揀選的繼承人，以及聖殿的建造者（1-5節）。百姓紛紛效仿，他們「樂意獻上」而且心中「歡喜」（6、9節）。大衛頌讚上帝，並宣告「凡天上地下的」都屬於上帝（11節）。大衛禱告說：「耶和華我們的上帝啊，我們預備這許多材料，要為祢的聖名建造殿宇，都是從祢而來，都是屬祢的。」（16節）

當我們回想上帝為我們所做的一切，以及祂賜給我們的一切，特別是祂讓我們能與耶穌建立關係的恩典時，我們可以藉著歸還部分所得的給這位厚賜美物的上帝，以表達我們的敬拜、感謝，以及對祂的愛。

One year, the leaders of our congregation invited us to give gifts, in addition to our regular weekly offerings, to build a new gymnasium—a space we could use to minister to the families in our community. After prayerfully considering the medical expenses caused by living with a disability, I asked my husband, “Are you sure we can do this?” He nodded. “We’re not giving God anything that’s not already His,” he said. “He’ll provide all we need.” And He did! Over a decade later, our church family still has the privilege of serving Jesus by serving people in that facility.

In 1 Chronicles 29, King David showed the leaders of Israel his commitment to support his son Solomon as his God-chosen successor and the builder of the temple (vv. 1-5). Everyone followed suit, “gave willingly,” and “rejoiced” (vv. 6, 9). David praised God and declared that “everything in heaven and earth” belonged to Him (v. 11). He prayed: “Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you” (v. 16).

As we consider all God has done and given to us, specifically the gift of a personal relationship with Jesus, we can express our worship and show our gratitude and love by simply giving back to God, the Giver of all good things!