Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, October 8, 2017

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-10-08-2017

This is devotional thought number 25 in our devotional series, “Removing the Veil: Sanctuary Living in the 21st Century.” Our subject is: All or Nothing at All

Here’s the question for consideration: What can you give God with a willing heart?

“Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” (Exodus 25:2).

Although I did not know God when I was a young boy, I do remember bits of songs that have so much meaning to me now like, “You can’t beat God giving … no matter how [hard] you try.” I remember, “We give thee but thine own, whatever it may be. All that we have is thine, O Lord, a trust … from thee.” And it’s true. Whatever we offer God in response to His goodness is simply returning the blessings He gave in the first place. Moses said that God gave us the power to get wealth. The New Testament says that we are not owners, despite what may motivational speakers say. We are, in fact, managers of God’s property. The cool thing about it is that when He asks us to return His property, having invested it wisely, He has also promises to bless us abundantly, in whatever way He sees fit. This is amazing. God does not leave it up to us to generate something to offer Him. What can mere mortals give that God does not already own?

We see this principle in living color at this point on our sanctuary journey. God had already delivered His people from Egyptian bondage, signifying our deliverance from sin. Check out what God did as they were being delivered: “The Israelites took their bread dough before yeast was added. They wrapped their kneading boards in their cloaks and carried them on their shoulders. And the people of Israel did as Moses had instructed; they asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold. The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth!” (Exodus 12:34–36, NLT). They had to leave so suddenly that they did not even have time to finish baking their bread. They also stripped the Egyptians of their wealth. Isn’t that interesting? What would our world be like today if former slaves received the wealth of their former slave owners? I digress. The point here is that God’s people left quickly, but not before they took their unleavened bread and cloaks with them, which could easily represent Jesus and His righteous covering, and great riches. For what purpose could our Lord have given His people such sudden wealth? Could it have been for their troubles? Perhaps. Could it have been because they deserved it? Unlikely. Could it have been so they’d have resources along their journey? Perhaps. Could it be that God wanted them to surrender their possessions into the care of the One who gave them? Absolutely.

Do note that when Moses asked God’s people to give, he was to only receive the offerings from those who gave willingly. And those who did so were giving for the purpose of building a dwelling place for God, which represented ultimate communion between God and His people. Did you get that? All of the riches that were used in the sanctuary were willingly given for the purpose of worship and communion with God. Do you have riches, resources, time, energy, jewels, etc., in your possession that should be given into God’s service? God loves a cheerful giver! God’s work should never suffer for lack of resources. The following is one of the few great examples the children of Israel left for us to follow: “All those who owned the following...