Exodus
25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of
every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
In this chapter, God begins giving directions for building His sanctuary. A place where His presence would be made known among His people. What are the first orders? To bring an offering. God would involve the people, not only in the labor of building, but also in the funding of the work. But look closely at how He wanted them to give. Willingly. This was the God that a couple of chapters earlier scared the people to death with His voice and His presence. He could have received an offering out of fear with no problem at all, but that wasn't what He wanted. God desired that the people give because they wanted to. It even sounds like God wouldn't receive it from anyone that didn't give with a willing heart! It shouldn't surprise you to know that God still desires for us to give in this way. The New Testament teaches us to give cheerfully and with a heart of thanksgiving. Yes, God could easily scare a good offering out of us, but when you think about it, giving out of fear really isn't giving. If we give out of fear, it is more like God taking than receiving, and if God wanted to take your money He would! You see, a strong relationship is based on love, not force. Our giving and our living should flow from a heart that is willing.
In this chapter, God begins giving directions for building His sanctuary. A place where His presence would be made known among His people. What are the first orders? To bring an offering. God would involve the people, not only in the labor of building, but also in the funding of the work. But look closely at how He wanted them to give. Willingly. This was the God that a couple of chapters earlier scared the people to death with His voice and His presence. He could have received an offering out of fear with no problem at all, but that wasn't what He wanted. God desired that the people give because they wanted to. It even sounds like God wouldn't receive it from anyone that didn't give with a willing heart! It shouldn't surprise you to know that God still desires for us to give in this way. The New Testament teaches us to give cheerfully and with a heart of thanksgiving. Yes, God could easily scare a good offering out of us, but when you think about it, giving out of fear really isn't giving. If we give out of fear, it is more like God taking than receiving, and if God wanted to take your money He would! You see, a strong relationship is based on love, not force. Our giving and our living should flow from a heart that is willing.
Wow a willing heart! I pray all the time that my heart is willing...not just to be a giver of what God places in my hand but that when he asks me to pray I drop and pray...and when He says go see I part my scheduel and go see. Like Paul said my heart is willing but my flesh is weak....so o o weak. Lord help us all be willing to be all You would have us be. Amen Rev. Diane
ReplyDeleteWillingness hasn't come easy in my life throughout the years. I gave and gave for years because I was afraid of the consequences if I didn't. This disfunctional way of living in fear created a lot of bitterness and resentment in my heart. I eventually became rebellious and abusive to myself and others. The kindness of God brought me to repentance from the sins that developed as a result and it was just in time! Willingness will come easier when we deal with the denial that disfunctional behavior blinds us with. First we have to see ourselves for who we really are and take full responsibilty for it. Then open our eyes to the beauty of Jesus Christ and His power to save us! Willingness comes from Him out of love for us in our brokeness condition! It gets better, much better!
ReplyDeleteAmen to this! Jesus showed the perfect way to give. He lovingly and willingly gave 33 years of His life for the Kingdom and then laid it all down for us on the cross. While our Jesus was being beaten and hung on the cross, He told the Roman soldiers that He loved them, and even asked God to forgive them. That is willingness and love. Thank you, Lord, for Your perfect example!
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