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I grew up being taught that the discipline of tithing was biblical. However, I’ve realized over time that not everyone has the same understanding and interpretation that I have on the subject. In today’s reading, from 1st Chronicles 26–29 and Psalm 127, there is a clear principle that I believe transcends any one interpretation or practice:

Everything we have is on loan from God, and what we give to Him is simply returning what He already owns. This is an act of worship that brings the Father pleasure and draws us closer to Him. 

We see this clearly in 1st Chronicles 29. After an extravagant outpouring of generosity for the construction of the future temple, David offers a prayer of praise in verses 14–16 that explains the best perspective on faithful giving. He writes,

“But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? … For all things come from You… all is Yours.”

This is a powerful reminder that giving isn’t about the amount or the consistency, but rather it’s about recognizing the source of our wealth. What we give was never ours to own, but rather His on loan.

This understanding reshapes everything. Once we recognize this as the key takeaway from the reading, the surrounding chapters take on a clearer meaning. The organization of gatekeepers, musicians, and servants shows that everyone has a part to play, but no one owns the mission. It all belongs to the Lord.

Embedded in the lists of workers we encounter a familiar name, Obed-edom. We met him earlier in the book, in 1st Chronicles 13:13–14. He became a reminder of what happens when someone faithfully nurtures the presence of God. His blessings were not random; they flowed out of his closeness to the ark as he served as its caretaker. When we lean into Jesus, surrendering to His sovereignty and teaching, we become content and joyful because our recognition pleases Him and keeps us close to Him.

Closing today's reading with Psalm 127 is a fitting summary:

“Children are a gift of the Lord.”

We began the reading by seeing Israel with enough manpower to complete the work of the Lord. Everyone had a part to play, but not one person was bigger than the mission. We then recognized that all of our provision comes from the Father’s hand—even our progeny is a gift from the Father’s hand.

It is so easy to think of our giving as something we do for God. But this passage reminds us that we are only able to give because He has already given to us. We are not the owners. We are the stewards. We are called to manage the blessings He’s given.

That changes how we view our finances, our time, our ministry, and even our family. Everything we think we “have” is actually something we’ve been given for a season and a reason. What we have been given was never ours to own, but rather it is His resources on loan.

When we recognize and surrender to the sovereignty of the Lord, we experience His blessings throughout life. Blessings that were never meant to be measured by what we have, but by who we draw close to.