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I. LIBERALITY IN THE CAUSE OF GOD IS WORTHY OF ALL MEN.

1. Our infinite obligations demand it.

(1) How royally He gives to us

(a)  The protecting care of His providence;

(b)  the blessings of life.

(2) The earth and all things in it are His. How He opens His hand and satisfies the wants of every living thing!

(3) The gifts of His grace.

(a)  The unspeakable gift of His Son;

(b)  the promise of eternal glory.

2. Liberality in His cause is only the return to Him of part of that which He has given to us (ver. 12).

(1) His gifts are trusts.

(2) We are stewards, not absolute owners.

(3) We are to occupy till He comes.

3. To withhold from Him is to lose His blessing on what we retain. To give to Him ever brings richer gifts, if only in the spiritual graces it calls forth.

4. Liberality in the cause of God is urged by our interest in the best welfare of our fellow-men.

II. LIBERALITY IS NOT ONLY A DUTY, BUT A PRIVILEGE.

1. It is a grateful recognition of being so blessed as to be able to give.

2. The willingness to, give is a ground of thankfulness.

III. THE LIBERALITY OF DAVID AND HIS PEOPLE A LESSON.

IV. REFLECTIONS.

1. We should cherish liberality for God, for the good it does our own souls. The gratitude, love, zeal, of which it is the expression, and which it directly fosters.

2. For the good it does our fellow-men.

3. We should measure our gifts by what we retain.

(1) How much do we give to God in comparison with what we give to ourselves?

(2) Have we ever made any real sacrifice for Him? Matthew and the other apostles. a Have we only given of our superfluity?

(Cunninghan Geikie, D. D.)

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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.

WEB: But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.