Jump Start # 3891
Exodus 36:7 “For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.”
It is a thought that I expect has never been preached, especially in modern times. It centers around the construction of the tabernacle. Everything had to be constructed. Altar. Lampstand. Ark of Covenant. The multilayered coverings for the tabernacle. They made everything. And, God expected only the finest. The lampstand was made of pure gold. The bowls for the drink offerings were pure gold. Even the poles that carried the Ark of Covenant were overlaid with gold. The rings holding up the curtains were, of course, gold.
Where did all of this gold come from? Did God lead Moses to a mineshaft that was filled with gold? No. Earlier in the Exodus record we read, “take from among you a contribution to the Lord; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord’s contribution: gold, silver and bronze” (35:5). Then, “everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the Lord’s contribution for the work of the tent” (35:21).
The people gave. They gave and gave. They gave so much that God issued a proclamation to bring no more. They had enough, as our verse states. There isn’t a need to give anymore. The need was met. Stirred hearts came through for the Lord.
Can you imagine a sermon on Sunday stating, please do not give today. We have enough. The needs have been met. Now, there are some thoughts we need to put behind this:
First, in some places, one wonders if that ought to be stated. Some congregations are sitting on mountains of money, that is just sitting in a bank. No plans. No vision. No use for the money other than just piling more on top of it. We make a mistake when we view the finances in the church like our personal finances. As individuals, we save for rainy days and invest for the future. We do that understanding that someday the flow of money will stop coming in when we retire. We make plans for that. It’s not the same for a church. With good insurance and a lot of faith, put the Lord’s money to use. Help the kingdom.
Second, if church leaders have open eyes, they will see that there are always needs that require money and resources. Some never see beyond the extent of their home congregation. There are brethren who are in need, both in this country and especially all over the world. There is a need to support preachers, especially overseas. Connecting with modern technology to spread the world, takes a bit of money but the good it does is remarkable. We pour a lot of money into church buildings, but church buildings do not save anyone. Buying Bibles for those who do not have one, putting quality material on websites, funding preachers to go overseas to teach is just a drop of the wonderful things a congregation can do.
Third, I’m more impressed in this Exodus story about the stirred and willing hearts that gave. The gold and silver that was given would not come back to these people. They understood that it was going to be used in service and worship of God. They gave the best that they had. They didn’t go cheap with God. They didn’t feel that this was wasteful. God had taken care of them and they wanted to give the Lord the best of what they had. The Lord wanted gold, so they gave gold. The Lord asked for silver, and they produced silver.
Stirred and willing hearts can produce marvelous results for the Lord. Just imagine what could happen if our hearts were stirred and willing. The subject of giving is not high on the list of things that we want to hear on Sunday morning. This stirred and willing spirit didn’t remain in Exodus. It was our beloved Barnabas who sold a tract of land and gave the money to the apostles. The text of Acts four, where that is found, doesn’t imply that Barnabas was asked to give. He seems to have done this on his own. Why? Simply because his heart was willing and stirred.
With a willing and stirred heart, one will do the unbelievable. One will do what no one else will. One will go above and beyond what is expected. Can you imagine the Lord saying, “You have prayed enough this day.” Or, “You have read enough of My word today.” Or, “You have encouraged enough hearts today.”
A proclamation was issued. Don’t give anymore. We have enough. Simply amazing!
Roger