SCRIPTURE: Exodus 35
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ‘As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.’ [Luke 21:5-6]
The substance of the giver is more important than substance of the gift.
It is not weightiness of the gift, but the willingness of the giver that God values.
God is not impressed by our gifts.
The impressiveness of our church building does not catch His eye.
In fact, when we get too absorbed in these things, He will knock them down.
Even though He was the one that asked for the tabernacle to be built, it was not about the tabernacle!
It was a symbol of His presence among His people: He in their hearts, and they in His!
In Exodus 35 we see an indication of their open hearts to God – their gifts were free will offerings!
Why did they give their gifts? Were they trying to impress God?
Were they trying to earn His forgiveness for messing up earlier with the golden calf?
Did they figure they could manipulate God with their good behaviour?
Or were they genuinely eager to honour God, eager to experience the reality of ‘God with them’, as symbolized by the temple.
No doubt there was a mixture of motives.
And God looks behind the gift to the heart of the giver.
In Luke 21 Jesus sees a widow put in her penny.
He frames this scene and uses it to make a point: God is more impressed by the huge heart of her gift (she had nothing, yet put it in) than by the huge donations of the wealthy (who gave out of their surplus).
This is so different for us.
We celebrate the huge donations.
A quiet donation of $20 from a needy family won’t get a bulletin announcement, but a big donation of $200,000 will.
In the end, all gifts have value, if the heart is behind them.
$20 or $200,000 is a big deal, when it is given willingly, with heart.
But the opposite is also true, $20 or $200,000 is NOTHING if it does not include the heart.
The disciples see the temple and say ‘wow’, but Jesus looks at the people in the temple who are rejecting Him, and dismisses its beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God.
The question for today is not ‘how much did you give’ or ‘how much do you give’ but ‘how much of your heart went with the gift’?
PRAYER:
Lord, we are so impressed by the wrong things, You are impressed by the heart. May I willingly offer myself to You, as well as all my gifts!
There is a refrain repeated throughout the passage – everyone who was willing. Not all the people gave but only those whose heart moved them. This was their freewill offering to the Lord. There were willing to do this. They were heart driven. They freely gave for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded to do.
These people listened to their leaders who was in step with the Lord.
And there were also skilled workmen who were given the ability to teach others their craft for His service. Not only were the people willing to give but also willing to receive instruction because of their open hearts. Once again – they were heart driven in kingdom service.
And to Bezalel – he was filled with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills – sounds almost like what the Lord gave to Daniel and his friends. God empowers those who use His gifts in His service. This could be in giving, in teaching, in being taught so that His workers are skilled – all of them willing servants.
Today I work as for the Lord. I am in His presence always – walking in His SonShine and He has made me glad to serve Him willingly. Use me Lord as Your servant.
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Intro:
Take my heart and my soul,
take me Lord, take control.
Chorus:
Use me in Thy service,
draw me nearer everyday.
I am willing, Lord to run
all the way, all the way.
If I falter while I’m trying,
don’t be angry, help me stand;
I am willing,
here am I, Lord, use me.
Verse:
Pain by heartaches,
I’ve been scorned by loved ones,
yes, I’m willing Lord, to run all the way.
If I falter while I’m trying,
don’t be angry, help me stand;
I am willing,
here am I, Lord, use me.
Vamp 2:
My hands, Lord, use me.
My feet, Lord, use me.
My eyes, Lord, use me.
My mind, Lord, use me.
Vamp 3:
My hands, my feet, my eyes,
use me.
My mind, my time, take all of me,
use me.