Our giving can feel empty sometimes, can’t it? Perhaps it’s because we have been wounded by frenzied sermons on giving or the pulsing belief that if we’re not giving everything, we’re disobeying the demand of a greedy God. Giving can feel like a form of karma; we cross our fingers and hope as we give that it will be given back to us in equal or greater measure. Or it can feel like checking a box, doing our duty as Christians. Or perhaps, we withhold giving to the Lord because we don’t trust Him with our finances, our security, or our portion.
I have been to all those places. There have been years of my life when I was living paycheck to paycheck, barely scraping by, certain I couldn’t afford to give anything to the Lord. And then other years of my life when I was indifferent to the needs of others. But then, nearly a decade ago, when my check-the-box giving had dwindled to nothing, and my indifference had grown to an insurmountable level, God began to teach me that there was something He wanted far, far more than my money; He wanted my heart and my spirit.
In this passage we see the detailed list of what the people of God brought to help build and adorn the tabernacle. Moses is attentive in his communication of what God desired and also what the people gave. This is saying something about God: He cares about the details of our lives, what we can give and what He created us to give. No two gifts are exactly alike. It is as if Moses is saying: your gift matters because you matter to God. He cares about the knitting of your heart and the crafting of your hands, the things you make and the livelihood He’s given you. And because we can know He cares about these things, our hearts are moved by that love and, in obedience to the Spirit inside of us, we can freely give.
There’s nothing obligatory or forced about this kind of offering. God alone can move in our heart and prompt our spirit to bring what we have as an offering to Him (Exodus 35:21). We give because He first gave to us. It is not—as some angry preachers shout from lofted pulpits—because we owe God everything, but simply because everything we have is owned already by God. Offering all we have to the Lord is only possible because He already gave everything to us in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
What is in your hands today? How has God uniquely crafted you, knit you together, formed you, and made you? What stirs your heart and your affections for Him? For the Church? For your brothers and sisters? What moves your heart toward God? Give Him the gifts of your heart, your passion, your provision. That’s what He’s asking for: the gift of your delight and cheerful giving.
Our precious Heavenly Father is so generous and giving! And it delights His heart when we, His children, reflect His generosity as well! It’s like when my sons were very young and I used to give them a few coins to put into the offering basket so they could experience the joy of giving. Every good and perfect gift we have is from our Father above (James 1:17) – we are not owners of it, we are stewards of it – and God gives us gifts, talents, money, time, etc. – not to hoard for ourselves, but so we can learn the great delight and joy of giving to others! We don’t HAVE to give, we GET to give! Giving can be draining when it is out of compulsion or obligation, or when it is not Christ-centered and lead. But a free-will offering from our hearts out of love for Jesus is so beautiful to us and to the Lord! Jesus willingly laid down His life for us – the supreme example of a free-will offering of love!!! What could motivate us more to give than that!!!?
I was listening to a podcast recently with Christine Caine about Elijah and the widow to whom he was called to seek out and ask her to use the remaining oil/flour she had to make him bread… and as the story goes, God so blessed her sacrifice that He continued to refill the jar for her use… (If you’re interested in listening, it was titled “What seems unlikely to you is highly likely to God”… was extremely powerful).
I was reminded, God doesn’t ask me to make what I have big and grand and then use it for His Kingdom- He asks me to bring the smallest of small so HE can make it grand and purposeful. I so often look for where I have excess- money, clothing, food, time… and THEN I have “willingness” to give out of the excess. But He’s asking if we’re willing to have the faith it takes to give from our perceived area of “less than” and trust He is trustworthy to have it- and that He will keep His promise to ALWAYS supply what we NEED in the moment we need it.
He doesn’t ask us to make our giving big- He asks us to make it available.
I would like to point out that it only were the Israelites WILLING but they acted -“let everyone who is willing BRING” “all who had willing hearts BROUGHT” “women whose hearts were moved SPUN”. Lord help me to not only be willing but to also take action!!! Thank you God for your blessings! Amen!
The beauty of this offering is that it pours all the Egyptian plunder into worshiping the Lord and greatly dwindles the chance of another golden calf experience in the wilderness. God doesn’t waste things does he?
I’m glad I could not relate to the author this morning whose experience was pastors shaming and demanding money. Since becoming a believer in Christ, God has shown me that all I am and have are His. Tithing and giving, no matter what stage has been a privilege to me ( us).
What struck me in todays readings was that it was not required, let everyone whose heart is willing and then we read of all who were willing, whose spirit prompted him/ her. Everyday we have that opportunity as Romans 12 reminds us, in view of God’s mercies, we daily present ourselves as living sacrifices. Holy, pleasing to God. This is my true worship. The question for me is am I willing? Is my heart moved. Am I listening? Good thoughts to begin today.
Would you all pray for me? I am a foster mom and the biggest most important court hearing thus far is Thurs, Aug 18th 10am EST. Pls pray for favor and courage for the truth speakers!! I am terrified and praying for God to fight for my little guy!!
I have a new watch, a thing to tell me the time and date. But the motivation for this particular watch was the daily reminder to get up early, take care of my body, to get after it with discipline before the enemy gets after me. This is my battle plan. For me, this is Romans 12:1-2. I train in the spirit with God’s Word first, and I train my body with proper nutrition and exercise. These disciplines have brought me freedom. And as Romans 12 begins, this is true worship because I do it willfully in response to the mercies of God (v. 1). I resist being conformed to this age as God transforms my mind with His Spirit and He helps me to discern what is in line with His will and goodness (v. 2). There is such purpose in what God creates. He made me for a good purpose. His creations are beautiful and He gave us eyes to behold and hearts to respond in adoration and worship of Him. All beauty points to Him. Our lives should be lived in holy and pleasing sacrifice to Him. This looks like loyal love, forgiveness, mercy, honesty, discipline, and self control. And it also looks like repentance when we fail, because we do. He knows. This is the why for Jesus. This is the beautiful protection and salvation that doesn’t ask for our perfection. He only needs our hearts. He wants my heart. My love. My dependence on Him. And when I give my heart and life to Him, He gives me all the hope I need. I have an escape from this world, and comfort while I am still here. To be fully known and still loved is the greatest gift on earth. He gives me supernatural motivation and I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Selah. Maranatha. Amen.
So many good comments and insights this week, sisters – thank you!
What grabbed me today was the mentioning several times in our Scripture readings – everyone whose heart was stirred, and whose spirit was willing.
Is my heart stirred, and is my spirit willing – today? Tomorrow? Next week?
GWINETH52 – thank you for the daily reflection – I need to add that to what I’m already praying.
HEIDI – glad to hear things are better with your daughter. I have family members that age and a few years older who are having a tough time again this year. Praying for them in many ways as they do not know the Lord. Kids can be downright mean for reasons I can’t understand. I look back on my elementary, junior high (it was many years ago) and high school years and remember so much bullying that I was the focus of – before bullying was recognized as a thing. Today’s bullying is much more subtle, which I think makes it much more dangerous. Praying for all kids this year to rise above it.