"Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD’S offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting" (Ex. 35:21a).
Those who came to present offerings to the Lord for the work of the tabernacle were motivated by awakened hearts and willing spirits. They were not compelled by an outside force, but they were motivated from within, from a principle of love toward God and a desire to serve Him. They possessed gratitude in their hearts for the great things He had done for them, and they had faith in His promises of what He would continue to do among them. Matthew Henry comments, “What we give and do for God is acceptable when it comes from a good principle in the heart and spirit.” Whether we are giving financially or using our gifts for His service, we must be compelled by our love for God, by the stirring in our hearts that comes from the Spirit of Christ dwelling within us.
Because the text makes this point so distinctly, it could be assumed that there were those who did not have a willing spirit. There were probably those in Israel who loved their gold more than the Lord and would have served themselves rather than their God. Most likely, there were those who wanted to be called Israelites, who wanted the benefits of being members of the covenant community, but who did not want to give of themselves. The same is too often true in the Christian church. There are those who want to be called Christians but who do nothing for the kingdom of Christ. They like religion as long as it costs them nothing. Such professors of religion do not know the joy of giving, and have no understanding of the love of Christ that moves the heart to show grace to others.
In Israel, both the men and the women gave of their treasures, for both were expected to serve. They gave their bracelets, rings, and ornaments because they preferred the beautifying of the tabernacle over their own adornment. We can learn from this to part with that which is valuable to us and to deny ourselves for the sake of the kingdom. It’s good to keep a loose handle on earthly things, for, as Jesus said, they pass away. Why set your heart on those things that will one day be destroyed? To do so is vanity. Do as Jesus taught: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Are you too attached to your earthly treasures? Do you lack generosity because you put more value on your things than on the kingdom of Christ? Do you put your treasures before people, your riches before the needs of others? Pray that you will have a wise and generous spirit, one that is motivated by love for the Lord.
