Generosity Toward God

What should we give to God?  What does He need?  He has given us everything: life, salvation, forgiveness, grace, mercy, redemption, love and so much more. As we more fully understand His grace toward us, our hearts overflow with gratitude and we recognize what a privilege it is to serve the God of the universe.  This gratitude abounds in generosity.  Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 4:7 that everything we have we received from God; so to be generous is to give back to God. Proverbs 19:17 says that Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord!  Wow!  I can lend to the Lord!  That is an amazing thought.  In 2 Corinthians 9:7b, we learn that "God loves a cheerful giver." The more we give, the better we feel and the less tightly we hold to our possessions as our own.  You can't take your possessions with you to heaven.  You wouldn't want to anyway.  We will want for nothing in the next life, I am sure.  But giving isn't just money.  What am I selfish with?  Is it my time?  We do need to guard some of our time for rest and devotion to God, but we should be generous with ourselves because we are not our own. (1 Corinthians 6:20)  If we are open-handed with all we are and all we have, we will see opportunities to bless others, whether it is with a note, a kind word, a smile, a meal, a gift or an hour listening well.

In the wilderness, we see this generous spirit toward the Lord among the Israelites. The leaders of Israel apparently expressed a desire to bring more offerings from their clans to be used in serving the Lord.  The Lord told Moses, “Each day one leader is to bring his offering for dedication of the altar.” The order of the presentation of the gifts is the same as the order of the march given in chapter 2.  We have already met these tribal leaders and interestingly, each brings an identical offering. “One silver plate about 3.25 pounds, one silver sprinkling bowl weighing 1.75 pounds, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels (4 ounces), filled with incense; one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old, to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering.”

Each day’s offering would be a celebration.  Why list each tribal leader coming and why list the gifts every day when they were all the same?  Valid questions both.  A possible answer is that this detail and repetition “allows us to catch a glimpse of magnificent pomp and ceremony attending these gifts.”  (Expositor’s Commentary) Not only does the detail and repetition show a genuine spirit of worship, it also shows the joy of the Lord in the reception of the gifts.  God told them to come one day at a time. (Expositor’s) Perhaps so it could be special and each leader could feel that he is making a worthwhile contribution.  The leisurely pace makes it a stately ritual of a sacrificial tradition. Also, perhaps giving the same gift eliminated competition.  Brothers are given to rivalry.  Each had his own day to celebrate and no real comparison could be made except for perhaps being closer to the front of the order.

After the 12 days of offering, a summary was given with totals of all of the offerings. This mathematical detail is fitting for the book of Numbers.  These offerings celebrate the initial public use of the bronze altar where people would bring their sacrifices.  Here the chieftains are acknowledging the Lord’s sovereignty over the nation.  The tribes show unity by their like sacrifices.  The gifts are large, expensive, directed by God and provided by God.

We must always give God our best and not hold back.  Everything we have is from Him: our time, resources, funds, energy and our very lives.  It feels good to give freely and to help others.  The fact that God is our Father in heaven and we pray for His kingdom to come acknowledges His sovereignty in our lives and hearts.  He has a vested interest in His children and His name is holy.  We should joyfully praise Him as a loving leader who takes care of us.  (NIV Application Commentary) Is God calling you to sacrificial giving? What do you feel He is calling you to give? Remember, everything we have is from God and it is a privilege to contribute to the work of the Lord. 

God Speaks

Chapter 7 ends with Moses entering the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord.  He heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover of the ark.  This was the whole reason for making the Tabernacle: for Israel to hear from their God.  The reason for our churches is to worship God corporately and hear from Him as well.  No matter how gorgeous the ark must have been with its beautiful details and solid gold artistry, the glory of God outshines it all; the voice of God is of immeasurable worth.

When is the last time you heard the voice of the Lord? What did God say?  What did you do in response? God speaks to us through His word, mainly.  If we are praying over a decision, He can bring a Scripture to bear directly on what we need to decide.  This is so wonderful and amazes me every time the God of the Universe gives me His attention.  It is amazing!  Train yourself to listen for His voice.  You can be assured of a godly decision by the peace you have in making it.  

May the Lord bless you and speak to you today.