Exodus 25:1-9 ESV [1] The Lord said to Moses, [2] “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. [3] And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, [4] blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, [5] tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, [6] oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, [7] onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. [8] And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. [9] Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.
There are principles of giving that we should explore, but the motive of giving is what stands out here. The words “his heart moves him,” jump off the page as I read this. I pondered in my mind what would move their heart to give. The context of this event, preceding and present, may help us to understand the heart that is moved to give.
First, let’s review the past events that led us here.
Israel has been delivered from 400 years of servitude in Egypt. God has brought them out with mighty wonders. The plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. He has supernaturally provided food and water as they journeyed in an unknown wilderness. Manna from heaven and water from the Rock. He has brought them here with a cloud by day and pillar by night. He is ever present with them. He is leading them and speaking to them from the mountain and through Moses. Are you getting the picture so far? Meditate a minute on these events. How amazing this must have been. Now, they are at the base of Mt Sinai where God gave them the commandments. Rules to live by. He gave these in a powerful and undeniable way. They know God is speaking. They know God is in control.
The past has been proof positive that God has protected and provided for them. What could move a heart more? Take a moment to think about your own past. Has God provided for you? Has he protected you? Have you experienced things that can only be explained as the hand of God? God did it and you know it! Doesn’t your past move your heart to give?
Not only does their past move their heart to give, but the present does as well. In Exodus 24 we read this;
Exodus 24:9-11 ESV [9] Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, [10] and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. [11] And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank. [15] Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. [16] The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. [17] Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. [18] Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights
God’s presence described in by inadequate human language. Amazing words, incomprehensible words, words beyond our understanding. God is present with his people and they saw it! They know it. They experienced it personally. Would that move their heart to give? Would the very presence of God move their heart?
Just think about your own life a minute. Have you experienced God’s presence? Have you saw him through the eyes of faith? Are you imagining how he must appear physically? Do you know he is with you always, even to the end of the age? The very presence of God is inside the believer, every believer, right now! He is in our present! Revealing himself, his purposes, and his ways to us. Yes, the presence of God in my PRESENT, moves my heart to give.
God asked for the contribution. God tells Moses to take an offering. I can hear some saying, “here we go, they’re gonna ask for money.” But, this isn’t a church asking for money. This isn’t a charity asking for an offering. This is God. God is telling them to give a contribution to HIM. By the way, God doesn’t need their giving, they need to give. He is involving them in a kingdom purpose. He is involving them in the building of the tabernacle. The place where God meets man on earth. A place of holiness and worship. He’s letting them get in on the blessing. Don’t you believe that God could have done this alone? Of course he could. Instead he gives them the opportunity to give.
When God asks you to give do you? When your heart is moved by his request do you get in on it? We are his tabernacle now. We are his building.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV [19] Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body
Does our heart move us to give? He not asking us for much, just everything! It’s all His! We are all His! Will you give yourself to him? Will you give him what he asks for?
Does your heart move you to give?