The Gift of Giving - 2

Exodus 35:4-10  (KJV)

⁴ And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying,

⁵ 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; gold, and silver, and brass,

⁶ And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,

⁷ And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,

⁸ And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,

⁹ And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.

¹⁰ And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded;

It is a wonderful experience being a part of cheerful giving on a large scale. There is something magical about working on a project when everyone involved is committed and excited about the work being done. 

These are the times when no one is concerned about 10 percent, or how much the person next to them is giving or doing. These are the times when the ability to contribute to the work is what brings the joy.
The ability to give is evidence of blessings already received. The ability to give shows that the giver has been provided for beyond his needs.
These people had been slaves and in the natural should have had nothing. Instead, they had been provided for in such a way that they had the opportunity to say "thank You" with open hearts and open hands.

Exodus 36:3-7 (KJV)

³ And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.

⁴ And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;

⁵ And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.

⁶ And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.

⁷ For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

What a blessing to the man of God to have such a response from the people. What a blessing to the people of God to be among those with a united purpose. I can only imagine the shouts of praise in this evidence of joyful giving.

2 Corinthians 9:7  (KJV)

⁷ Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

May you be blessed with opportunities to witness and be part of the Gift of cheerful Giving.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!