https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Exodus+36
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 7 February 2025:
Exodus 36:1-3 — “Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.” And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary.
Once again, the Bible reiterates that it is God who gives people the capacity for skill and knowledge, and he gives us His commands on how to use our abilities, but the heart will determine what a person will do with their abilities and God’s commands. Remember in Exodus 25, God told Moses to ask everyone for a contribution based on how their heart moved them. (Exodus 25:2) They had to choose what to do with what God had given them, and the more they loved God, trusted God, and were grateful to God, the more they were willing to give from what they had received through God’s grace. What are you doing with what God has given you?
Exodus 36:4 – “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”
Have you ever been to a church where the Pastor, Reverend, or Priest said, “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary”? I suspect not. However, today we read when the people of God, of their own free will and without any pressure, gave to the point where giving was no longer needed. The Israelites in the desert certainly had plenty of logical reasons not to give as their future was (in the eyes of men) very uncertain. While we might worry about a bad economy, they had good reason (from an earthly perspective) to be concerned for their very lives on a daily basis. Yet, they gave freely. Today, less than 4% of church members tithe (give 10%), while most spend about 20-25% of their incoming paying off debt (much of which is owned by ungodly institutions), around 29% of their income on taxes, and about 20% of their income on transportation costs. Can you imagine the impact if Christians followed the Biblical principles of living debt free, sharing with one another, and tithing? What would happen if, tomorrow, 100% of the church tithed?
Two experiences in my Christian walk significantly changed my perspective on church finances. One occurred in the early 90’s when my Pastor stood before the church to explain why, despite supporting over 10,000 attendees, we still met in a giant tent instead of a building. He said that the church in America was spending more on building debt then to support missionaries, and he refused to go into debt to build a church. Today, he pastors in a huge, beautiful building, debt free.
My second profound experience was in 2009-2011 when we attended church with a congregation that all worked together to construct their own church building (with the support of some builder missionaries – I did not know such people even existed). They took what was once a horse arena, moved it across the city, and transformed it into an amazingly beautiful church (quite large too). They did the vast majority of the work on their own. Mostly on Tuesdays and Thursdays the congregation would meet after normal working hours to build together, eat together, and fellowship. This experience completely changed my perspective on, not only church finances but also on church fellowship. It is an incredibly powerful thing when the body works together to build the church. You can imagine the intense emotion that was felt during the first service conducted in the new building that everyone had built together through much blood, sweat, and tears. This was the most cohesive and committed church body of which I have ever been a part, and the culture of mutual support extended to all areas of life – they helped build each other’s homes, shared necessities of life, and gave to each other generously; interestingly, most were barely middle class. That experience reminds me of what we read today in Exodus when everyone freely gave, not only of their resources, but also of their time and talents to construct the sanctuary. How does this relate to your church experiences?
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 7 February 2025: Today, work, give, and forgive from your heart in accordance with your love, trust, and thankfulness for God. Let all you do be an act of worship (expression of worthiness) to the Lord.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 