Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

11 February 2024

Reading From Exodus 36-38

“Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. 

So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, ‘The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”  Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: ‘No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.”

–Exodus 36:2-7

     Much of the focus in study of the Exodus from Egypt to Canaan is on the negative behavior of the nation of Israel.  It appears they were constantly whining about every little thing and quick to forget the horrendous conditions they suffered under slavery, begging to go back when they tired of the food God provided in the desert, for example.[1]  But, just as with me and my fellow modern day humans, not everything about them was bad.  Here in chapter 36, God’s people are a shining example of how life in the community of faith should be. 

     Yesterday we read about how God asked the Israelites to give of their talents, time, energy and resources.  Today in our reading, we see the result.  Not only did the children of Israel give generously, Moses had to ask them to stop giving because they had more than what was needed to complete the work God had given them to do.  Can you imagine leaders of churches today needing to ask people to stop giving so much?  What a wonderful problem that would be!  Imagine the extraordinary ways churches and ministries could help in society if there was such a tidal wave of generosity.[2]  Let it be so, Lord Jesus.

     Today there is much confusion, misguided teaching, misunderstanding and greed with regard to money, stewardship and giving.  As with any subject that is controversial, it is best to go back to the Scriptures with fresh eyes and ask God to reveal His will to us.[3]  When we investigate such things, it is best to approach God’s Word with humility so that when the Spirit speaks to us, we will not be stubborn to obey.[4]  From these passages in Exodus, we discover what can happen when the family of God honors Him with their wealth by giving over and above what is required.  When we trust and obey, He will lead us into abundance and the cheerful cycle of giving and receiving will continue.[5]

“Lord Jesus, soften my heart to hear from You and may I be obedient to Your direction.  I pray that I would repent from any greed, materialism, or unwise financial stewardship.  When I ask that You be the Lord of my life, help me to understand that means that You have authority over how I manage money as well.  Show me the way forward in making better decisions and fill me with Your love so that I will be joyful in giving generously to others and to Your work upon the Earth.  Amen.”

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

–Proverbs 3:9-10

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.

Luke 6:38

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[1] Numbers 11

[2] Acts 2:42-47

[3] Acts 17:11

[4] II Chronicles 7:14, James 1:23-25

[5] Luke 6:38