Exodus 35:21-29
“And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, [and] brought Jehovah`s offering, for the work of the tent of meeting, and for all the service thereof, and for the holy garments.” (Exodus 35:21)
When Moses told the people what God had requested, those who were in favor of doing it volunteered their labors and the necessary materials for the work. People want to give and participate in things that are important to them. That desire to give is destroyed when they feel forced to contribute, however.
“And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, [and] brought brooches, and ear-rings, and signet-rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man that offered an offering of gold unto Jehovah. And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats` [hair], and rams` skins dyed red, and sealskins, brought them. Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought Jehovah`s offering; and every man, with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.” (Exodus 35:22-24)
The people gladly gave what they had to build the temple, sacrificing even their most treasured possessions. Men went and cut timber into lumber for the construction and donated it. Those who had dyes or could beat out flax stalks for the linen brought it the fibers, goats were sheared, and sheepskins were cleaned and dyed, and the skins of antelopes that had been killed for food were donated, and jewelry was contributed by different individuals.
“And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, the blue, and the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen. And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats` hair.” (Exodus 35:25-26)
The labor and donations were not limited to the men. The women contributed their materials and skills as well, spinning the linen and goat hair into yarns to be woven into cloth and for the ropes to hold everything up. Some were responsible for dying part of the linen, each volunteer utilizing the skills they had learned. The women are as much a part of the church as the men, and their gifts and talents are part of his plan.
“And the rulers brought the onyx stones, and the stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate; and the spice, and the oil; for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.” (Exodus 35:27-28)
The leaders personally donated as well, offering things others may not have had readily available. Gemstones and onyx were comparatively scarce, and were heavy and hard to fashion into useable implements so only those who could afford the extra expense of fashioning and transporting them had very much. The rulers who had it voluntarily gave up theirs for the construction of the tabernacle.
“The children of Israel brought a freewill-offering unto Jehovah; every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Jehovah had commanded to be made by Moses.” (Exodus 35:29)
The willingness of the people to donate labor and materials by such a large spectrum of the group indicates a widespread commitment to the project. God had prepared the people’s hearts to do the work. If the people are not involved and committed, there is a question whether a project was really inspired by God, if he has not prepared their hearts to want it enough to give.
People who invest financial resources or labor to a project have an interest in the outcome that people who have not invested lack. The modern way of financing a new church by donations from other churches or religious organizations hinders people’s commitment to the church. While a larger and fancier building may result, the church is weakened because the people have no investment in it. The people’s faith is further weakened by not being allowed to see how God blesses their efforts in producing more than they thought possible and in providing for their needs to replace what they have given.
The author of Heartbeat of The Himalayas, a very wealthy man described the responsibility to control his giving in order to help the people he ministered to develop their faith in God. To pay for the things himself would often result in their trusting him rather than the Lord. How many missionaries and mission churches depend on their supporting churches or mission organization rather than trusting God to supply? Seeking the Lord’s leadership in how to help is crucial if we are to please him, and especially if we have extra money.
I Timothy 5 deals with the church’s responsibility in helping others. A key element is that our giving does not encourage sin on the recipient’s part. We are not to enable others to avoid taking their own responsibility. We need to review our own efforts to help others periodically to see that they are pleasing to God.
Some have said that the people even gave their old shoes to help build the tabernacle, insisting it is such a glorious picture of people giving. Years ago, many churches sent used clothing to “help the Navajos.” While some were useable clothing, others were so ragged it would have been more beneficial for the church to have hauled them to the dump and kept the shipping charges, as we would not have had to deal with them. Leviticus 22:20 commanded, “But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.” Unuseable donations are not pleasing to God. He's not in the waste disposal business.
“And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, [and] brought Jehovah`s offering, for the work of the tent of meeting, and for all the service thereof, and for the holy garments.” (Exodus 35:21)
When Moses told the people what God had requested, those who were in favor of doing it volunteered their labors and the necessary materials for the work. People want to give and participate in things that are important to them. That desire to give is destroyed when they feel forced to contribute, however.
“And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, [and] brought brooches, and ear-rings, and signet-rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man that offered an offering of gold unto Jehovah. And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats` [hair], and rams` skins dyed red, and sealskins, brought them. Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought Jehovah`s offering; and every man, with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.” (Exodus 35:22-24)
The people gladly gave what they had to build the temple, sacrificing even their most treasured possessions. Men went and cut timber into lumber for the construction and donated it. Those who had dyes or could beat out flax stalks for the linen brought it the fibers, goats were sheared, and sheepskins were cleaned and dyed, and the skins of antelopes that had been killed for food were donated, and jewelry was contributed by different individuals.
“And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, the blue, and the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen. And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats` hair.” (Exodus 35:25-26)
The labor and donations were not limited to the men. The women contributed their materials and skills as well, spinning the linen and goat hair into yarns to be woven into cloth and for the ropes to hold everything up. Some were responsible for dying part of the linen, each volunteer utilizing the skills they had learned. The women are as much a part of the church as the men, and their gifts and talents are part of his plan.
“And the rulers brought the onyx stones, and the stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate; and the spice, and the oil; for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.” (Exodus 35:27-28)
The leaders personally donated as well, offering things others may not have had readily available. Gemstones and onyx were comparatively scarce, and were heavy and hard to fashion into useable implements so only those who could afford the extra expense of fashioning and transporting them had very much. The rulers who had it voluntarily gave up theirs for the construction of the tabernacle.
“The children of Israel brought a freewill-offering unto Jehovah; every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Jehovah had commanded to be made by Moses.” (Exodus 35:29)
The willingness of the people to donate labor and materials by such a large spectrum of the group indicates a widespread commitment to the project. God had prepared the people’s hearts to do the work. If the people are not involved and committed, there is a question whether a project was really inspired by God, if he has not prepared their hearts to want it enough to give.
People who invest financial resources or labor to a project have an interest in the outcome that people who have not invested lack. The modern way of financing a new church by donations from other churches or religious organizations hinders people’s commitment to the church. While a larger and fancier building may result, the church is weakened because the people have no investment in it. The people’s faith is further weakened by not being allowed to see how God blesses their efforts in producing more than they thought possible and in providing for their needs to replace what they have given.
The author of Heartbeat of The Himalayas, a very wealthy man described the responsibility to control his giving in order to help the people he ministered to develop their faith in God. To pay for the things himself would often result in their trusting him rather than the Lord. How many missionaries and mission churches depend on their supporting churches or mission organization rather than trusting God to supply? Seeking the Lord’s leadership in how to help is crucial if we are to please him, and especially if we have extra money.
I Timothy 5 deals with the church’s responsibility in helping others. A key element is that our giving does not encourage sin on the recipient’s part. We are not to enable others to avoid taking their own responsibility. We need to review our own efforts to help others periodically to see that they are pleasing to God.
Some have said that the people even gave their old shoes to help build the tabernacle, insisting it is such a glorious picture of people giving. Years ago, many churches sent used clothing to “help the Navajos.” While some were useable clothing, others were so ragged it would have been more beneficial for the church to have hauled them to the dump and kept the shipping charges, as we would not have had to deal with them. Leviticus 22:20 commanded, “But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.” Unuseable donations are not pleasing to God. He's not in the waste disposal business.
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