Giving More Than Enough

Exodus 36:1-38

A Christian college student worked part-time as circulation manager for a weekly newspaper. Most delivery boys were teenagers, working a few hours a week for a few dollars. The student witnessed to a delivery boy, telling him that he was a sinner before God and needed to be saved. The boy answered, "I know I've sinned, but I'm not always bad."

The children of Israel had their ups and downs, their good times and their bad times. They obeyed Moses, when he told them to apply the blood at the institution of the Passover. It was also by faith that they crossed the Red Sea, and sang a song of deliverance. They weren't always bad.

However, they did complain and complain and complain and complain. Moses was almost worn out from their constant complaining. We find him constantly crying out and crying out and crying out and crying out to the Lord. He unloaded his heavy burden through prayer.

The Jews were a generous people. When Aaron asked them to give their golden earrings so that he might make a golden calf, "all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron." Exodus 32:3.

Here in Exodus 36 it was time to construct the tabernacle. The craftsmen willingly went to work, according to their skills, and the people "continued bringing him (Moses) freewill offerings every morning." The offerings were to be "of a willing heart." See Exodus 35:5, 21-29.

The children of Israel gave so much that the artisans went to Moses, and said, "The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do." More than enough! Imagine how some church leaders would respond to such generosity today. Very few would tell the people to stop giving. Instead, they would probably draw up plans for an enlarged church building program. Most always want more.

But "Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, 'Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.' And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done---indeed too much." Exodus 36:6, 7.

In the New Testament we read, "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7. We should generously support the work of God.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your abounding grace toward us. Commitment to ministry is one thing. Adequate financial support is something else. Stir our hearts to willingly give. In Jesus' name. Amen!

The Tabernacle: Inside and Out - Exodus 39

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