Imagine a pastor asking his congregation to support a particular godly project and the people responding so strongly in their giving that the pastor had to ask them to stop giving! Have you ever heard of a pastor doing that?
But this is exactly what happened in Exodus 35-36. Moses asked the people to give of their possessions for the making of the tabernacle and the clothes of the priests. He asked them to give willingly and from the heart. They were so stirred up with giving that Moses had to restrain them from giving, Exodus 36:6. Their giving was not out of conformity, fear, indoctrination or guilt. They did not give grudgingly or out of necessity. This is the essence of free will giving from the heart. It comes out of faith and love for God’s work.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
But this is exactly what happened in Exodus 35-36. Moses asked the people to give of their possessions for the making of the tabernacle and the clothes of the priests. He asked them to give willingly and from the heart. They were so stirred up with giving that Moses had to restrain them from giving, Exodus 36:6. Their giving was not out of conformity, fear, indoctrination or guilt. They did not give grudgingly or out of necessity. This is the essence of free will giving from the heart. It comes out of faith and love for God’s work.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
No comments:
Post a Comment