Contributions for the Sanctuary

 

 

Exodus 25:1-9

 

September 28, 2024

 

Contributions for the Sanctuary

The Lord said to Moses,  “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him, you shall receive the contribution for me.  And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze,  blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats' hair,  tanned rams' skins, goatskins, acacia wood,  oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense,  onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breast piece.  And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.  Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

We have the model in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 of what God was talking to Moses about.  “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

Did you understand it was things they put great value on that the Lord is asking them to give with a cheerful heart?  Is that the heart of the Church?  I believe many in the Church and out have not set their hearts on becoming a cheerful giver, which is why.  One business in the USA that is very large and profitable is a storage building.  You wonder why, let me share, why people do so, it is stuff they value, wasn't that what God was asking the chosen people to give?  It is stuff they may use, someday, it has too much value to give to someone that is not family, and the kids do not want or need it.  In other words, its value makes the person pay for something they are, their family will never use, but it's too nice to give to someone in need.  The storage business is built on greed, not on helping others who can use it, so they pay for it again and again. I am sure they are missing out on the blessing of giving.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice