Today’s reading: Exod 35:1–36:38, John 6:15–24, Song 4:14–16
Today’s theme: Heartfelt generosity
We must not allow ourselves to be robbed of the blessing to biblical giving by thinking of our giving to God in the same way we think about paying an electricity bill. Many of us are neither joyful or resentful, we are simply indifferent because the bill is a rightfully owed duty. God does not desire this sort of heartless giving.
The modern church’s emphasis on tithes (10% of earnings set aside for God) can leave some feeling short changed (robbed from the joy of biblical giving). People think of giving to God like a bill when in fact the tithe itself is not spoken of in the New Testament. Jesus doesn’t want just 10%, He wants what it represents which is everything!
In this spirit, our giving should not be limited to an indifferent 10% utility bill, we should joyfully give all we can to the glory of God from genuinely generous hearts. If we do not give it joyfully, God doesn’t want it and we will never truly benefit from our giving either.
Exodus 35:1–36:38
Be genuinely generous
Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; Exodus 35:5 (ESV)
We should be generous from our hearts with our money, time and skills for God’s glory.
Serve from the heart
And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. Exodus 35:21 (ESV)
Our service should be from the heart, not just duty or rule keeping.
Serve with joy
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. Exodus 36:2 (ESV)
God puts the skills and intelligence in our minds but our hearts must be stirred to joyfully use them for Him.
Provide for the work
for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more. Exodus 36:7 (ESV)
If we all give generously and don’t limit ourselves to just 10% for example, then there will be great provision for the Lord’s work.
Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.
Additional resources
Desiring God on Giving