DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A WILLING HEART

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE WILLING HEART

This is a test. As I read some Scriptures from Exodus 35, see if you can identify the common thread that runs through all of them.

"And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, 'This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying: "Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD: gold silver, and bronze [and other things]…." (Exodus 35:4-5).

"Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its, service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women, as may as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who make an offering to the LORD." (vss. 21-22)

"The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material of all kinds for the work which the LORD, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done" (vs. 29).

Congratulations. You got it! The correct answer is a willing heart.

When the Bible talks of a free-will offering, it means that the offering came from the heart without compulsion. This perspective has not changed. Listen to what Paul wrote to the people at Corinth: "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (II Corinthians 9:7). The word here translated "of necessity" is in the margin "by compulsion." It has the flavor of doing something because of pressure from someone else or personal guilt, or external pressure of law or duty. Churches have a way of pressuring people by making them feel guilty if they don't donate, or of making it the fulfillment of a religious duty. But God does not do that.

Jesus set the example of a free-will offering by freely giving Himself. He said that no man took His life from Him, but that He laid down His life (John 10:15, 17). It was a free-will offering that bought our salvation.

Our giving to God should always flow from a willing heart in love and gratitude for all that God has done for us. God loves that kind of grateful expression of thanks. And our spirits are free to give liberally because we give out of love (see Romans 12:8). Is your heart stirred to give? Then give joyfully!

Love, Dad