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April 18th, 2024
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Selfless Contribution
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Exodus 35:4–36:7
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Read
So the whole community of Israel left Moses and returned to their tents. All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the LORD. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments. Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the LORD their offerings of gold—brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the LORD. All those who owned the following items willingly brought them: blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; and tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather. And all who had silver and bronze objects gave them as a sacred offering to the LORD. And those who had acacia wood brought it for use in the project. All the women who were skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen cloth. All the women who were willing used their skills to spin the goat hair into yarn. (Exodus 35:20-26)
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Reflect
Airline pilots can test their equipment to see if is functioning properly. Similarly, God has a test button that reveals faithfulness—our wallets. Those whose hearts were stirred gave cheerfully to the construction of the Tabernacle. They gave because they knew how important their giving was to completing God’s house. Generous people aren’t necessarily faithful to God. But faithful people are always generous.
Where did the Israelites, who were once Egyptian slaves, get all this gold and jewelry? When the Hebrews left Egypt, they took with them the spoils from the land—all the plunder they could carry (Exodus 12:35-36). This included gold, silver, jewels, linen, and other valuables.
God did not require these special offerings, but he appealed to people with generous hearts. Only those who were willing to give were invited to participate. God loves people who give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). Our giving should be from love and generosity, not from a guilty conscience.
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Respond
Is there an initiative that God is prompting you to support? What’s holding you back? Ask God to help you be a generous and thankful giver to his work.
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