"Stop It. You're Giving Too Much"

"The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do."So Moses gave the command, and the word was proclaimed throughout the camp, "Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary." So the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more." Exodus 36:5-7

Sadly, these are six words you will never hear a Baptist pastor say. We live in a secular humanist world today, especially here in the good ole United States of America. What do I mean? Secular humanist believe the world revolves around them. We are taught from a very early age that life is all about you. Your dreams. Your happiness. Your career. Your money. It's the mantra; get all you can get, can all that you get, and then sit on top of your can. Human secularism believes I am the center of my own universe. And this type of worldly thinking has kicked down the front door of the church and made its way into the pews, and preached from many pulpits. 

However, you will not find such thinking in the Word of God. Matter of fact, God's Word teaches the polar opposite, when Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26). This goes back to the day of Moses, as well. God commanded Israel to give in order to construct a place where He could be ministered to. This place would be known as the tabernacle or the dwelling place of God. Yet, there were materials needed for the construction of the tabernacle. And like with any work of God there were expenses that needed to be covered. 

Therefore, God called His people to contribute to the construction of the tabernacle. It was here in Exodus, we learn about the generosity of God's people. Israel's giving went above and beyond what was expected. They gave so much all the needs were met and exceeded. Moses even had to command the people to STOP bringing their offerings. Moses took it a step further and restrained the people from giving. What a wonderful problem! 

What about you? One of the greatest blessings as a believer is to give to the Lord's work. Do you give cheerfully and generously to the Lord's work within the context of your local church first with your finances, time, or giftedness? What if you had to be restrained from our giving? What if you had to be told "Stop! You are giving too much?” What if we were all faithful to support God's work in this way? When is the last time you gave the Lord a raise with your offering? 

I’m not talking just about money, although that’s a great place to begin, but what about other areas of your life. When's the last time you asked the pastor how you could serve Christ by serving others? Ask the Lord to examine yourself in this vital area of worship. If each person was faithful to give to the Lord's work, then the church's needs, much like Israel, would be met and exceeded. 

"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."  [Hudson Taylor (1832-1905), China Inland Mission founder]--