1 Chronicles 29:14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of you… I. THE NATURE OF THE GIFT. I do not dwell on the extent. I refer rather to its essential nature. It was a gift distinctly for the public good. What is called public spirit is surely one of the divinest things extant among men. God keeps alive this will to serve and sacrifice for the public as the great antidote to the innate selfishness of mankind. Public spirit rises in importance and dignity as man rises in intelligence, and is able to take wise counsel about the welfare of his fellows. If he is able to take heavenly counsel, to know what God is seeking for man and to supply it, there you have in the highest form the servant of his generation according to the will of God. This glory is theirs who take counsel and work for the religious culture sad elevation of men. They are the men who key the arch of progress and make it firm and sure. II. THE SOURCE OF DAVID'S AND THE PEOPLE'S JOY. 1. Living under the constraint of love is the most joyful exercise of the human powers. Man's selfishness is not native. It is the dent's poison in his blood. Divine charity expels it. The sculls conscious of health again, sad breaks out into praise. 2. The joy man takes in the accomplishment of a noble public object is the purest and loftiest of all human joys. 3. I suppose a vision passed before David's sight of what that work would be to man, and would do for man, through ages. 4. Concord in good works realises perhaps more than anything in our experience the angelic benediction, "Peace on earth and goodwill to men." III. THE REASON OF THE PRAISE. 1. It is God's inspiration. Of Thine own, of the strength and joy which Thine own hand has inspired, have we given Thee. 2. Praise and bless the Lord who inspires this spirit, for it commands an abounding blessing. (Baldwin Brown, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. |
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