Giving What God Gave First

By Dean Collins

Every year I read through the whole Bible. I suppose one reason is that if I don’t, I tend to forget important things from the last time I read it. I doubt I am the only one who has trouble remembering! I also read the entire Bible so that I remember that there is a grand story in the Bible, and if I simply read my favorite parts or the parts I think I understand, I may very well miss the big picture while being adamant about certain passages.

This year more than most, I have found myself flipping back to passages that for some reason won’t leave me alone. One of these passages is found in Exodus 25:1-9. Here are the first 2 verses of this passage:

“The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.”

Here are a few things to ponder as you consider this text:

1) God does not demand a certain amount but rather says that every person whose heart moves them should make a contribution. I understand that throughout the Old Testament there are many passages that talk about tithing. But this isn’t the case. And by the way, the New Testament does not prescribe tithing, but it does encourage generosity.

2) Where did the Hebrews get gold, silver, bronze, and the various other valuables? Back in chapter 3 we see that God told the Hebrews to ask the Egyptians for these things and that he would give them favor in their requests. Which means God had provided the resources that they were now asked to give from. Isn’t that the exact same situation we have today?  

3) At this point in the narrative, they were in the wilderness. Yes, some of the wood and supplies could be accumulated from the land, but the majority of the resources God provided before they left Egypt.

As we read this passage, the Sermon on the Mount seems relevant. There, Jesus told his followers that in his kingdom we were not to accumulate treasures for this life but rather accumulate treasures for heaven. Those treasures are spiritual in nature and not physical things we possess. Jesus warned that wherever our treasure is, there will our heart be also. 

Jesus calls his disciples to be generous in every way, with our service, with our love, and with our possessions. And he is the supplier of all we need. He was for our spiritual ancestors, and he is for us as well.

Father, transform us by the power of your Holy Spirit that we might increase our generosity to others because you are the source of all that we have. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Exodus 3:21-22, 25:2-8; Matthew 6:19-21 ESV

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