"Take up an offering for the Lord among you. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring this as the Lord's offering." (Exodus 35:5)
OBSERVATION
After the Israelites had escaped Egypt God wanted them to construct a place to worship (the Tabernacle). Moses relayed the Lord's command to the people that they were to gather from among themselves the necessary materials to build the tent. People weren't levied a tax, or forced to give. They gave freely, from the heart. In Exodus 35 it is evident the people's hearts were moved.
- Everyone whose heart was moved and whose spirit prompted him can and brought an offering to the Lord to construct the tent of meeting for every use, and to make the holy garments. (35:21)
- Both men and women came; all who had willing hearts brought brooches, earrings, rings, necklaces, and all kinds of gold jewelry. (35:22)
- And all the women whose hearts were moved spun the goat hair by virtue of their skill. (35:26)
- So the Israelites brought a freewill offering to the Lord, all the men and women whose hearts prompted them to bring something for all the work that the Lord, through Moses, had commanded to be done. (35:29)
APPLICATION
God wants me to give, but he wants me to give from the heart. Sometimes I feel like I give out of duty or obligation. Sometimes I don't feel like giving. I understand God wants me to give, but He wants me to give freely from my heart. The times I am not willing, or my heart is not in it, I'm thinking about what I'm giving up or what I'm going to be missing. It's focused on me. However, when I understand all that God has done for me, my heart is full and I can't help but want to give to Him. His goodness moves my heart to give. There is nothing greater than being able to contribute to Kingdom work.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the ways you've blessed my life. May my giving reflect the generosity of Your heart. Help my focus to be on what you've poured into my life.
