The stewardship hymn We Give Thee but Thine Own was written in the 1850’s, so it makes a lot of sense that I have sung it all my life in church. In the Glory to God Presbyterian Hymnal, the editors (who had also been exposed to this hymn “forever”) make this point about the hymn’s progression and message:
Each successive stanza here expands the implications of the familiar affirmation of the first one. Much more than a concern with money, stewardship shapes our relationship with Giod and other people.
1 We give thee but thine own,
whate’er the gift may be;
all that we have is thine alone,
a trust, O Lord, from thee.2 May we thy bounties thus
as stewards true receive
and gladly, as thou blessest us,
to thee our first fruits give.3 The captive to release,
to God the lost to bring
To teach the way of life and peace,
it is a Christ-like thing.4 And we believe Thy Word,
though dim our faith may be
Whate’er for Thine we do,
O Lord, we do it unto Thee
We receive so much from God. We give and share as a grateful response.
Prayer
Thank you, Giving God, for your great generosity. Accept what I return to work in the world as my gift of gratitude. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
