PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Exodus 34-36
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them brought an offering.” (Exodus 35:21)
From the beginning, God created humans as partners.
In today’s reading we see how God gifts the people, and the people willingly respond.
Eventually Moses had to stop them because they were giving too much (Exodus 36:6-7).
When people’s hearts are moved, when people are willing, amazing things can happen.
The reason we do not see more evidence of God’s kingdom is not God or the kingdom.
The struggles and weaknesses in the Jesus movement lies in God’s covenant partners.
Our hearts are not always moved, nor are we always willing to use the Spirit’s gifts.
God is still compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
He remains in covenant with us, even when we offer less than our whole heart and will.
But He does challenge us, and allow us to experience the result of half-heartedness.
Are you putting your heart into living WITH, LIKE and FOR God and Jesus?
Are you seeing amazing things happen as you invest yourself in serving the Lord?
The Lord is with us, His Spirit is at work, and His kingdom is coming.
Is my heart moved to respond, and am I willingly partnering with Him?
PRAYER
Lord, following You is about more than being saved. You have saved and enabled me to be a willing and gifted partner. Help me to offer my whole heart to You and Your kingdom purpose!
I’m struck by how specific and meticulous the instructions given to the Israelites were. Are God’s instructions still that specific and we simply don’t listen as well as Moses did? Jesus came so that we no longer had to make offerings and sacrifice but instead die to ourselves so we could be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and not just lamb’s blood.
Can others see God’s radiance in my face? Do I give willingly and generously like the Israelites did so that I needed to be told “no more than this”? Am I committing all the talents God has given me to building His tabernacle?
This ‘resource gathering campaign’ was hugely successful – to the point that the people had to be constrained from bringing more for the building of the tabernacle. The campaign asked for people who were willing to contribute – not coerced or tempted by a possible ‘lottery’ prize or ‘name recognition’. The people were tremendously blessed as they participated in this construction. This came after numerous evidences of God’s presence among them through Moses (his radiance) and the tablets! Lord, give me a heart that is always ready to serve – that I may give of my skills, abilities and resources willingly. I do am blessed when I do!! Help me to see the evidences of you working in me, in believers/your servants and in the world around me.
The people gave so that the craftsmen had all they needed. Moses had to stop the people from giving. And today, the churches are short many a time in their budgets. The people do not freely give. They are self-serving. But as we live for Jesus we/I need to freely and willingly give to His kingdom work. God gave His people new beginnings to serve Him. I too have received new beginnings for service. May my life be a life of service to Him. May others see that I am living for Jesus in all areas of life – every square inch.
1. God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name,
and in Jesus’ name I come to you
to share his love as he told me to.
He said:
‘Freely, freely you have received;
freely, freely give.
Go in my name and because you believe,
others will know that I live.’
2. All power is given in Jesus’ name,
in earth and heaven in Jesus’ name,
and in Jesus’ name I come to you
to share his power as he told me to.
He said:
‘Freely, freely you have received;
freely, freely give.
Go in my name and because you believe,
others will know that I live.’
Lord thank for your faithfulness to your people. Forgive my half heartedness many times. You never gave up on me. Help me Holy Spirit to live wholeheartedly for with and like my Lord and Savior Jesus.