Hymn Words

On February 28th we will be reading the passage from Mark 12 where Jesus responds to a question about taxation with "Render unto Caesar those things that are Caesar's and to God those things that are God's". In Voices United there is an offering piece called "We Give You But Your Own" (#542) and I commented how well it would go with the theme, if only there were more verses. And so here is my attempt at creating more verses (though I did find more verses by the original author, they did not quite fit where I think I am going)....

We give thee but thine own,

what e'er the gift may be;

all that we have is thine alone,

a trust, O God from thee

May we with joyful sounds,

receive the gifts you give,

and share them with the world around,

to help your children live.

The air that gives us breath,

the strength we gain from food,

all things we use through life and death,

are gifts wondrous and good.

The Caesars of our lands,

tell that we must pay

funds they want to hold in hand

it is their due they say.

And in response you ask,

us to give careful thought.

How can your gifts fulfil our task?

Then use them as we ought.

We give you but your own,

whate'er the gift may be,

all that we have is yours alone.

We give it gratefully.

(Verse 1 by WilliamWalsham How 1858; Verses 2-5 Gord Waldie 2016, Verse 6 by William Walsham How, as adapted in #542 Voices United)