February 1 Excessive Generosity

Exodus 36:4-5 So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”

Thoughts as I reread Chapter 35:
• People will give when then can catch a vision
• People give abundantly when they can be part of a vision – maybe not all, but many are more likely to give when they catch a vision
• God values, and so do we, a willing heart and wise hearts – more to speak about that later
• People give readily when it is out of their own giftedness – what they have or can do, when they feel or are made to understand their giftedness is valued

o They gave beautiful things they owned or could make – note 35:25-26, “And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands and brought that which they had spun, both of blue and of purple and scarlet. And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats’ hair.”

o Can you see this picture – the beauty of the fabric, brilliant in color and the yarn of goat’ hair – soft, not bristly?

• People want a leader; maybe people will naturally find a leader – whether of good character or not.
• These people had such a vision that they gave more than was needed, generously, over what perhaps was to be expected – they wanted so much to be a part of it all – those who could not actually participate in the construction wanted to help make it possible and beautiful….were willing to be backstage

Then I think of missionary friends who just resigned from their mission because, although they had ministered faithfully and fruitfully for nearly twenty years, they could not raise the required funds to return to the field. OK, granted that God might just have another work for them now, but could that be an easy out? Our blaming God?

Or could it be that somehow people did not catch the vision of the difference they could make if they helped support this family? Could it be that though they had no money, after all this is a tough economy, they did not have any idea that other ways they could help would be valued?
Another thought: God really wanted this sanctuary to be beautiful! Breathtaking with the colors and textures surrounding the worshippers, and filled with visible reminders of the giftedness of the people – the fabrics and metals and woods – all given and crafted by the people.

I can imagine a Miriam looking up and seeing the fabric she wove and dyed and feeling such a sense of “at homeness” and grateful that she could be a part of this worshipful environment, be moved and reminded by her handiwork of the love and commitment she had to the work….perhaps even when other things in her life would discourage her.

I wonder what lies the evil one whispers into our ears to keep us quiet, guarding our gifts – waiting for someone to give us a vision or telling us we don’t really matter. I wonder what might happen if we were, both corporately and individually, listening for the voice of God to tell us what we might bring to the sanctuary, apart from money. And maybe the sanctuary is God’s larger presence, the Church universal.