A WILLING HEART

Today’s Reading: Exodus 36

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

The Tabernacle of Moses surrounded by Timna Cliffs. This full-sized replica is situated at Timna National Park in Israel.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Exodus 36:6-7

So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.” And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done–indeed too much.

What a wonderful problem! Every Pastor, every ministry leader should have such a problem. How do we get to this place, the place at which one must say, “enough”? What might cause such abundance? To answer that question, we need only to look again at the story we’ve read over the last few days. Yesterday we learned that those who brought offerings did so because they had willing hearts (Exodus 35:2,5,21,29). Because they were grateful for all the Lord had done on their behalf, they showed their gratitude by giving lavishly. We, too, need not wring our hands in despair that we do not have enough. What the Lord wants are willing hearts. A willing heart will make all the difference.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray once again for a willing heart. Money is not my master. You, Lord, are my Master. My possessions are not the master. I rejoice in the fact that I can give to Your Tabernacle, Your Church, Your Ministry and to those who need my help. You said, Lord Jesus, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of one of these, you’ve done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:40). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Throughout the years, it has been a blessing for Norma-Jean and me to qualify as “willing-heart” givers. We pay our tithes, 10% of gross income, and we give offerings over and above the tithe. I’m not bragging, just reporting. I hope to be a good example. Norma-Jean keeps our books, so she knows what the tithe is. I love to write the cheque for our offerings. I was asked by a Ukrainian Army Colonel to help convince their military brass that they should have Chaplains or Padres in their Army. My first speech in the Ukraine to their senior officers was to propose a toast to Cornelius who, as a Roman officer, gave alms (offerings) to the needs of the Jewish people. These alms came up before God as a memorial and God sent an angel and Peter to this Roman soldier (see Acts 10). God saved Cornelius and his family, and God established a chaplaincy in the Ukranian Army after 70 years of official atheism.

Yours for the joy of paying God’s tithe and giving our offerings,

David