There's Hope For TodaySample

Can you imagine a church service where the preacher stands up halfway through the offering and says, “Stop giving, we have more than enough? John, put that hundred dollar bill back in your pocket now … we have all that we need.” Can you imagine such a thing? I can’t either!

It happened during a church construction project in the Sinai. The people gave beyond the need. They willingly gave daily until Moses ordered them to stop (Exodus 36:3). I marvel at the wilderness spectacle. I search for the keys to such spontaneous generosity and commitment. Exodus doesn’t give us much in the way of personal thoughts and motives, but we can identify a few keys. These people had witnessed the power of God in miraculous provision. They lived in the years of manna in the morning and quail fillet at night. They were certain of God’s provision.

Could it be that we are guarded in our giving because we doubt the surety of God’s provision for us? Must He provide manna in the morning and quail at night before we grant Him complete access to our hoarded resources? Through the generosity of nomads He built His tabernacle. Now He builds His Kingdom. Can the same generosity be found among us?