Give and Give

Bill Brinkworth

God had just given Moses the instructions for the construction of the first “church”, the Tabernacle. It was to be a beautiful place. It would be a “tent” and very portable; as it would be taken up and down as the people of Israel followed God through the wilderness. Although it was a tent, it would be a holy dwelling place for God. It would be richly laden with gold, silver, precious weavings and stones. It would truly be a monument honoring God.

“Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; …,” commanded God of His people.

The people of Israel had been delivered from the cruel clutches of the Egyptians. They had seen God open the sea; so that they could walk through the sea on dry ground! They had seen the pursuing enemy drowned by the waters that had been an escape route for them. They had seen the sky darken, and the earth shake as their leader, Moses, ascended into a mount to meet with God. They saw and felt the earth tremble as Moses talked with God. They felt the fury of God when they displeased Him. God was very real and wonderful to them. What a wonderful opportunity they had to obey God and give back to Him!

So, the people gave and they gave. Animals were skinned and the hides were prepared for the Tabernacle’s outer coverings. Oil was prepared for the tabernacle’s lighting. Wood was hewn. Gold and silver were collected and crafted. Furniture was constructed. Women labored over weaving looms. Men collected precious stones and polished them. The people had a mind to work. All continued to give and give of themselves and their possessions with which God richly blessed them.

Rich men gave. Leaders gave. Socially important men and women gave. Families sacrificially gave. Poor men and women gave. What a sight it must have been to see the pile of goods given to the service of God continue to grow. How it must have felt to feel the air of unselfishness and zeal amongst God’s people.

One day, Moses stepped out amongst the people and commanded their attention. “ … Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary … for the stuff we have is sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.” The people were restrained in their giving, because they gave too much!

Oh Christian, if we would only have the same spirit of giving today. Many today, stop short when giving has anything to do with their pocket books. There is not one person that has anything that God has not given or allowed them to have. Still, it is hard for people to give.

“Well, God had nothing to do with the new car I have sitting in my backyard,” retort some.

Not true. God blessed them with the job to earn the money to buy it. God blessed them with the health to be able to go to work. God blessed them with the intelligence to learn the skill that enabled them to earn money.

There was a king, Nebuchadnezzar, who once said almost the same thing. He was proud of what he had done and gave God none of the credit for all the things he had accomplished. God removed his intelligence, and within one hour, high and mighty King Nebuchadnezzar was not so high and mighty. He was eating grass and crawling on all fours like cattle. He stayed that way for four years. When he recognized it was God that had used him in doing all the marvelous things, God restored his sanity, and he became the king again.

Do not learn the hard way, as did Nebuchadnezzar. If you have anything, it is through God’s blessing. Be a cheerful giver and give unto the Lord. The most you can possibly give is only part of what He has given you anyway.

If we, as Christians, would not make our money our gods, (many certainly give the green stuff more attention or respect than they do God), there would be no need for welfare, Social Security, and trust in the government to provide. We have a responsibility to be good stewards with our money, to help others, to see that the Gospel is carried throughout the country and world. You can give of yourself, talents, time, and money to see that God’s will and way are accomplished. He could do it Himself, but he chose to allow us. If we really love Him, we will be obedient and do His will. We also have the opportunity now to give and give. Would not it be wonderful for our spiritual leaders to have to get us to stop giving because we gave too much? Oh, for giving hearts; as Israel once had.

This article was featured in The Bible View #131.