Worship is our response when God reveals Himself. Giving is one form of worship. God reveals the truth about money and possessions and expects us to respond. We see this in Numbers 25:1-7. Moses tells the people to give and receives whatever they are moved to give. He does not demand, compel, or take it from them because giving is an act of worship.
Our money belongs to God. He entrusts it to us to use as He directs. This was true for the Israelites as well. God led the Egyptians to give the Israelites items of value (see Ex. 11:2-3; 12:35-36). We think we build the business, make the decisions, put in the work, etc. What we fail to realize is that God gives us the ability and provides the opportunity. “But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth . . . “ (Deut. 8:18).
Money reveals our hearts. Wherever our money goes, our heart follows. We either worship God with our money (Ex. 36:4-7) or we worship money as a god (Ex. 32). God doesn’t need our money; He wants our hearts. Because our hearts follow our money, when we give to God, He gets our hearts too. If you want to see your affection for God grow, begin to give to the things that please Him.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also . . . No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:21,24
Money multiplies when we give it away. When we use what we have for God’s purposes, He gives us more.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38
God revealed Himself and the people responded willingly. There was no need to pry the money from their fingers. Moses simply collected what their hearts had been moved to give. This was their free and willing response, not the tithe or first fruits that were commanded. This was a voluntary expression of worship by the people. When the offering was taken, there was more than enough. In fact, there was so much that they had to tell the people to stop giving because they already had more than was needed. (See Ex. 35:20-29 and 36:4-7)
1. How does the voice of the people strike you (24:3,7): Idealistic? Realistic? Self-defeating? Enthusiastic? Boastful?
2. Do you think either Moses or God expected the people to meet all their covenant duties? Why or why not?
3. Why do the people give what they do? What need does God have for riches?
No comments:
Post a Comment