READING: Exodus 35-37
I’ve seen many stewardship campaigns before, but none as effective as what we read in today’s text. None has ever quite matched the generosity of God’s people as they gave toward building the Tabernacle.
Through Moses, God called His people to give toward that end. The people so responded to that calling that they brought “freewill offerings morning after morning” (Exo 36:3). In fact, they gave so much that Moses eventually had to stop their giving: “After Moses gave an order, they sent a proclamation throughout the camp: ‘Let no man or woman make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ So the people stopped. The materials were sufficient for them to do all the work” (Exo 36:6-7). Why did they have to stop giving? Because they had already given more than enough!
So exuberant was their giving, in fact, that many versions read that they “were restrained” from bringing more. Let’s just say that I’ve never seen that happen in a local church. Even for those who love to give—as Pam and I do—I’m not sure we’ve ever given with that kind of enthusiasm.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How generous are you?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, help me to give sacrificially with joy. Even beyond what I’ve given before.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Exodus 38-40, Leviticus 1