Freely given.

All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.

Exodus 35:29

Israel now proved their love for God through this exceptional period of sacrifice and giving. They gave materials for the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness. And they gave it to the LORD. This was voluntary and it was meaningful. It crossed family boundaries. It crossed gender boundaries. It was a freewill offering.

And the very fact that Moses issued the command to give and to build at this time was evidence of God’s grace. God had at one point in response to Israel’s idolatry been ready to wipe out the entire nation and start over with Moses. But now, in response to Moses’ intercession, mercy came to the nation. And God graciously gave them this opportunity to respond to Him in commitment. And they did so with zeal and fervor.

Grace freely given to us by God should lead us to freely offer what we have back in return. There should be no strings attached. Offering our goods and our service to Him is a natural response of worship. God’s overwhelmingly generous mercy frees us to be generous people. And that is the way I should approach my gifts to God’s work… even in an economic downturn that has hit home.

Technorati Tags: Exodus,Giving