Giving Back to Him...

"Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers.
Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.
O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided
for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand,
and all of it belongs to you.
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.
All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent.
And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you."
-1 Chronicles 29:13-18

This prayer of David is so beautiful! "...we have given You only what comes from Your hand." How true this is! We are called to glorify God in all we do, yet He is glorious beyond our comprehension. Our praise cannot elevate Him any farther than He is, yet we give back to Him the glory that He already possesses.
Just like our lives, which we give back to Him. Just like our crowns, which we shall finally cast at His feet.

"But everything comes from God." -1 Corinthians 11:12b

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." -Revelation 4:11

Everything we give to God He has first given to us. We are called to constantly magnify Him and bring Him glory, yet He is ever magnificent and glorious. And the love we give to Him is in response to His love - for He loved us first.