We Give You But Our Own
We give you but our own
This hymn embodies Lutheran teaching on the proper use of God's gifts and the Christian's grateful response to divine grace through disciplined stewardship. It reflects the doctrine that all possessions ultimately belong to God and are given to believers as a sacred trust for both personal provision and charitable support of others.
History & Background
Written by William Walsham How in 1864, this hymn appeared in his collection 'Hymns and Poems' and became widely adopted in Anglican and Lutheran hymnals. It reflects Victorian era emphasis on Christian giving and moral stewardship.
Scripture References When he wrote this hymn, Bishop William W. How (PHH st. 1 = 1 Chron. 29:14 279) appended a reference to Proverbs 19:17: ‘Whoever 1 Peter 4:10 has pity on the poor lends to the Lord”—a Scripture that st. 2 = Deut. 26:1-5 characterizes not only this hymn text but also much of st. 34 = Matt. 25:35-40 How’s ministry to the poor in the east side of London, England. ‘We Give You But Your Own” is a hymn about stewardship, about bringing our gifts to be used for the church’s ministry of word and deed to needy people—in other words, our ministry for Christ. Like Psalm 50 and Isaiah 1, this text declares that everything in creation already belongs to God and that what we give and what we keep are all to be used gratefully in God’s service (st. 5). See also 294. How wrote the text in six stanzas in 1858; it was first published in Psalms and Hymns (2nd ed., 1864), edited by How and Thomas B. Morrell. The Psalter Hymnal omits How’s original stanza 3 and includes many alterations to the text.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 382
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 385
- Glory to God — 708
- The Hymnal 1982 — 784
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 410
- Lutheran Service Book — 781
- Lutheran Worship — 405
- New Century Hymnal — 385
- Psalter Hymnal — 296
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 441
- United Methodist Hymnal — 428
Liturgical Use
As an offertory hymn (st. 1 and 2 also make a fine choral response at the offertory, but do not overuse); as a post-sermon hymn in conjunction with stewardship themes.
Bulletin Note
Written by English bishop William Walsham How in 1864, this stewardship hymn roots Christian giving not in guilt but in grace—acknowledging that all possessions are God's gifts, held in sacred trust for His kingdom's work.
Preaching Connection
This hymn voices the Law's demand that we surrender all claims to self-ownership while proclaiming the Gospel's promise that our meager gifts, surrendered in faith, are blessed and multiplied by God's abundance.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From divine calling to missionary commission: the believer receives God's Word, develops compassionate hearts for the lost, practices faithful intercession, and participates in God's redemptive work until all creation glorifies Him
Themes
Christian stewardship Sacrificial giving God's ownership of all Christian discipleship Consecration