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Sometimes our generosity comes from mixed motives. It seems that some vandals had cut down six royal palms along Miami’s Flagler Street. Since the palms were very expensive, Dade County authorities weren’t sure if they could replace them very soon. But then someone donated six more and even had them planted. The old ones had been about fifteen feet tall and provided a nice foreground for a “Fly Delta” billboard. The new palms are thirty five feet tall completely hiding the sign. The new donor: Eastern Airlines.[1]
I could not verify the facts surrounding this story, but it highlights an important point for our attitudes in giving. God seek givers who give with the right heart. Who give for God’s purposes. In this article we expound through Exodus 35:4 to 36:7 to discover some key attitudes we should develop to give excellently for God’s work.
In the passage, God had given instructions to Moses for the building of the tabernacle, which would become a meeting place of God. It represented God’s house in the desert. The Israelites were instructed to build the tabernacle, and they gave abundantly towards its building. The way they gave is instructive to us at this point of our fund-raising. There are 4 key principles that we can observe.
GIVE OF WHAT WE HAVE
Moses commanded the people to give from what they had to build the tabernacle. From this passage we discover 2 key principles that apply to us.
We are our own resource solution
Exodus 35:4-5 (NIV) “4 Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded: 5 From what you have; take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing…”
Did you notice the way God instructed the Israelites to contribute towards the tabernacle? God only instructed the Israelites to give. There was no mention of seeking external help. The Israelites were the solution to building the tabernacle. All the necessary resources resided within the Israelites themselves. God had blessed them sufficiently. They had enough to contribute towards building the tabernacle.
Back in Exodus 12 when the Israelites left Egypt after some 400 years of slavery. Ex 12:35 - 36 (NIV) 35 The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. 36 The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.
God will provide sufficient resources for His purposes through His people.
God had blessed them in abundance of materials, enough for God’s purposes. The principle is this. God will provide sufficient resources for His purposes through His people. Of course, we can also look outside for assistance and resources. But often, when God calls, God will provide. When God calls a church to a task, a project, God will often provide from within the local church. When a wise leadership properly manages the project, there will be sufficient from within.
In faith, give of what you have and God will increase what you have.
Over the years since our own church building project started, I have noticed a very significant trend. The wealth within our church membership had increased significantly. Why is that? Because they have been faithful in committing to build God’s house and God is rewarding the members’ faith. God blessed the members so that they may bless His work. In faith, give of what you have and God will increase what you have.
Givers will be blessed both here and in heaven. Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Now I want to clarify that I am not preaching a hyper-prosperity doctrine. That teaches: the more you give the more God will bless you materially, regardless of your attitude. It is giving so that you may get. Often that promotes greed. But the Bible teaches that we should give unto God for His purposes, not so that we can get a multiplied return. And when we give with the right heart, not in greed, God will bless the most. It could be materially, emotionally, spiritually or in heavenly rewards.
“The millionaires in eternity are the givers in time”. Vern McLellan[2]. When our heart is right, we will have no problems giving even if God does not bless us materially as we may hope.
We can provide a variety of resources
Exodus 35:4–19 (NIV) 5 From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; 6 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair… 9 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. 10 “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded: 11 the tabernacle with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases… 19 the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary—both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests.”
The Israelites were instructed to give from what they had. Whether it be precious metal, fine cloth, fur, leather, select wood, oil, spices, precious jewels, etc. In the same way, we can give from our resources whether it be money, gold, silver, diamonds! Even cows, chickens and vegetables! Of course, it is best to be something the church can easily make use of.
Those with the right skills were also requested to contribute their talent towards building the tabernacle. Skills in carpentry, woodwork, metalwork, cloth, embroidery, perfumery, etc. A wide range of skills were required. In the same way, we too can contribute of our specialist knowledge and skills to build God’s house. Whether it be architecture, engineering, construction, interior design, landscaping, carpentry, painting, bricklaying, etc. God will help raise many of these skills from within. When I was a member of my first church in Melbourne, we had a church building project. A young bricklayer donated a year of his time and basically laid the facade of the large church building almost single-handedly. It was an amazing contribution.
GIVE FROM A WILLING HEART
In v20-29, we discover 3 aspects about giving from a willing heart.
After due consideration
Exodus 34:20 (NIV) “Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses presence…”
The whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses and had time to consider the request. They did this because they were sincerely willing to contribute. That they may pray and carefully consider God’s instruction. In the same way, our willingness to commit to God’s purposes is shown by our willingness to seek God. It is crucial to ask God about how we should contribute towards significant projects. For we believe that there are great benefits in seeking and hearing God.
Firstly, it is an opportunity for us to grow in our willingness to contribute towards God’s purposes. Secondly, we grow spiritually as we learn to hear God’s rhema word. Thirdly, we learn to nurture and persevere in faith based on God’s rhema word. Fourthly, such faith will be rewarded by God. God will move upon our situation to help us. Nothing is impossible for God. Impossibilities are nothing to God!
In 1 Kings 17:7-16, the widow heard the rhema word from the prophet Elijah and believed. 1 Kings 17:16 (NIV) For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.
As a result, she and her son had enough to eat during the terrible famine!
As a freewill offering unto God
Exodus 35:21, 29 (NIV) “ 21…and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought and offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments… 29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.
The Israelites began to come forward and to give willingly unto the building of the tabernacle. All kinds of things were given. A freewill offering is an offering given freely, without compulsion, without obligation. A giving because our hearts moved us. Hence it must be distinguished from tithes.
Tithes are required by God. A tenth of our gross income is a tithe unto God. It is an obligation to God, not in a legalistic sense but as a principle. Lev 27:30 - 32 (NIV) 30 “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD... 32 The entire tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the LORD.” Freewill offerings are given on top of the tithe because we are to give freely extra.
When we give freewill offerings, God is extra pleased because we gave out of the abundance of our hearts.
When we give of our tithes, God is pleased because we obeyed His commands and honour Him. When we give freewill offerings, God is extra pleased because we gave out of the abundance of our hearts.
While Eric Hulstrand of Binford, North Dakota, was preaching one Sunday, an elderly woman, Mary, fainted and struck her head on the end of the pew. Immediately, an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) in the congregation called an ambulance. As they strapped her to a stretcher and got ready to head out the door, Mary regained consciousness. She motioned for her daughter to come near. Everyone thought she was summoning her strength to convey what could be her final words. The daughter leaned over until her ear was at her mother's mouth. "My offering is in my purse," she whispered.[3] How is that for dedicated giving?
As a response to a need
Exodus 35:27–28 (NIV) 27 The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. 28 They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense.
The Israelite leaders gave of the onyx stones and other gems. The leaders gave the most expensive parts, and the most specific part suited to the function of the priest in the Holy Place. The giving of the Israelites, especially the leaders, were not indiscriminate. They recognised the significance and the need, giving where it was most helpful.
So we may choose to give, say for community work, for missions, for the poor, for the building fund, etc. It is up to us as we respond to certain needs.
GIVE TO BRING EXCELLENCE
Exodus 36:1 (NIV) So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”
The skilled workers were gifted by the Spirit of God in such a way to be able to bring excellence into their craftsmanship. They eagerly worked to bring about excellence in the tabernacle. We see evidence of the Spirit of God in the construction site. Equipping the people to carry out the work with excellence (v32-25).
In the same way, we can contribute in a manner that brings about excellence in God’s work. Perhaps we have giftings and experience that can bring the project to the next level in excellence. It could range from highly technical expertise to simpler hands on experience such as landscaping or planting. The key motivation is to give excellently to bring about excellence for God’s house.
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni painted the Sistine Chapel over a period of 4 years from 1508-1512. Originally Pope Julius II wanted the 12 apostles, but Michelangelo proposed an incredibly more ambitious scheme portraying key scenes from Genesis plus many characters from the Old Testament leading to Christ. Altogether some 300 figures. Once, when he was painting in some obscure corner, a friend asked why he bothered to put so much effort on a part nobody can see. He replied, “God will see.” Michelangelo further stated, “Many believe - and I believe - that I have been designated for this work by God. In spite of my old age, I do not want to give it up; I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him.”
Excellence is about giving our best unto God!
GIVE MORE THAN ENOUGH
Exodus 35:5 (NIV) “…the people are bringing more than enough for doing the work…”
The people continued to give morning after morning. There was an incredible line of people just lining up to give towards God’s work. Until the craftsman had to cry out “stop”. Such was the heart of the people that wanted to give more than enough for the completion of God’s work. Even the workers were generous in their time and skills commitment.
We should not give in a minimalist way but in a generous way, giving more than enough.
We should not give in a minimalist way but in a generous way, giving more than enough. Because we desire to see the glory of God’s work. King David demonstrated this principle in his preparation for the building of God’s temple. 1 Chr 29:2 - 5 (NIV) 2 With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, … and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities. 3 Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: 4 three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, 5 for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen.”
He gave with great abundance so that one day his son Solomon may build this magnificent temple for God. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we can do likewise?
CONCLUSION
In considering how we may contribute towards God’s work, let us consider what we have to give, whether in finance or gifting, with a willing heart. Let us give in such a way that it will help bring about excellence. Let us consider giving in such a way that there will be more than enough.
[1] James S. Hewett, ed., Illustrations Unlimited: A Topical Collection of Hundreds of Stories, Quotations, & Humor for Speakers, Writers, Pastors and Teachers (Tyndale House Publishers, 1988).
[2] The Complete Book of Practical Proverbs and Wacky Wit (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1996).
[3] Fresh Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching (Baker), from the editors of Leadership
Copyright©️2025 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.
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