“If every body minded their own business, the world would go round a deal faster than it does” – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

 

Giving should come from a generous heart:

‘   From what you have, take an offering for the LORD.  Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

“All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded: the tabernacle with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it; the table with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence; the lampstand that is for light with its accessories, lamps and oil for the light; the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the curtain for the doorway at the entrance to the tabernacle; the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the bronze basin with its stand; the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, and their ropes; the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary  – both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests.”

Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work of the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. –   Exodus 35.5-21

God did not require these special offerings, but he appealed to people with generous hearts. Only those who were willing to give were invited to participate.  God loves cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9.7).  Our giving should be from love and generosity, not from guilty conscience.

(35.10-19   Moses’ face was radiant after he spent time with God.  The people could clearly see God’s presence in him.  How often do you spend time alone with God?  Although your face may not light up a room, time spent in prayer, reading the Bible, and meditating should have such an effect on your life that people will know you have been with God.)

(‘ Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant – the Ten Commandments.  When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.  When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.  But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. Afterwards all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.  When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face.  But whenever he entered the LORD’S presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out.  And when he came out and told the Israelites what had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant.  Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.  – Exodus 34.28-35   Moses’ face was radiant after he spent time with God [Wall].  The people could clearly see God’s [Wall’s] presence in him.  How often do you spend time alone with God [Wall]?  Although your face may not light up a room, time spent in prayer, reading the Bible, and meditating should have such an effect on your life that people will know you have been with God.)

(‘   Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewellery of all kinds: brooches, ear-rings, rings and ornaments.  They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD.  Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or hides of sea cows brought them.  Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the LORD, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it.  – Exodus 35.20-24   Where did the Israelites, who were once Egyptian slaves, get all this gold and jewellery?  When the Hebrews left Egypt, they took with them the spoils from the land – all the booty they could carry (12.35, 36).  This included gold, silver, jewels, linen, skins, and other valuables.)

 

 

‘   Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.  – Matthew 10:8

Jesus gave the disciples a principle to guide their actions as they ministered to others: “Freely you have received, freely give.” Because God has showered us with his blessings, we should give generously to others of our time, love, and possessions.

(‘   As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’  – Matthew 10.7   The Jews were waiting for the Messiah to usher in his kingdom.  They hoped for a political and military kingdom what would free them from Roman rule and bring back the days of glory under David and Solomon.  But Jesus was talking about a spiritual kingdom.  The gospel today is that the kingdom is still near.  Jesus, the Messiah, has already begun his kingdom on earth in the hearts of his followers.  One day the kingdom will be fully realised.  Then evil will be destroyed and all people will live in peace with one another.)

(‘   take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.  – Matthew 10.10   Jesus said that those who minister are to be cared for.  The disciples could expect food and shelter in return for the spiritual service they provided.  Who ministers to you?  Make sure you take care of the pastors, missionaries, and teachers who serve God by serving you (see 1 Corinthians 9.9, 10; 1 Timothy 5.17). )

(10.10   Mark’s account (6.8) says to take a staff (walking stick), and Matthew and Luke (9.3) says not to.  Jesus may have meant that they were not to take an extra pair of sandals, staff, and bag.  In any case, the principle was that they were to go out ready for duty and travel, unencumbered by excess material goods.)

 

God’s laws reflect his generous character:

‘   “ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen.  Leave them for the poor and the alien.  I am the LORD your God.  – Leviticus 19.9-10

This law was a protection for the poor and the alien (foreigner) and a reminder that God owned the land; the people were only caretakers.  Laws such as this showed God’s generosity and liberality.  As people of God, the Israelites were to reflect his nature and characteristics in their attitudes and actions.  Ruth and Naomi were two people who benefited from his merciful law (Ruth 2.2).

(18.6-27   Several abominations, or wicked actions, are listed here: (1) having sexual relations with close relatives, (2) committing adultery, (3) offering children as sacrifices, (4) having homosexual relations, and (5) having sexual relations with animals.  These practices were common in pagan religions and cultures, and it is easy to see why God [Wall] dealt harshly with those who began to follow them.  Such practices lead to disease, deformity, and death.  They disrupt family life and society and reveal a low regard for the value of one-self and of others.  Society today takes some of these practices lightly, even trying to make them acceptable.  But they are still sins in God’s [Wall’]s eyes.  If you consider them acceptable, you are not judging by God’s [Wall’s] standards.)

(19.10-35   “Do not . . .”  Some people think the bible is nothing but a book of don’ts.  But Jesus neatly summarised all these rules when he said to love God [Wall] with all your heart, and your neighbour as yourself.  He called these the greatest commandments (or rules) of all (Matthew 22.34-40).  By carrying out Jesus’ simple commands, we find ourselves following all of God’s [Wall’s] other laws as well.)

 

Show some to the needy:

(See above.)   Leviticus 19.9-10

God instructed the Hebrews to provide for those in need. He required that the people leave the edges of their fields unharvested, providing food for travellers and the poor.  It is easy to ignore the poor and forget about those who have less than we do.  But God desires generosity.  In what ways can you leave the “edges of your field” for those in need?

(‘ “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.  –  Leviticus 19.32   People often find it easy to dismiss the opinions of the elderly and avoid taking time to visit them.  But the fact that God [Wall] commanded the Israelites to honour the elderly shows how seriously we should take responsibility of respecting those older than we.  Their wisdom gained from experience can save us from many pitfalls.)

 

Seen in nature:

‘   who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.  Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades  you call forth songs of joy.

You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with corn, for so you have ordained it.  You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.  You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.  The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.  The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with corn; they shout for joy and sing.  – Psalms 65.6-13

This harvest psalm glorifies God the Creator as reflected in the beauty of nature.  Nature helps us understand something of God’s character.  The Jews believed that God’s care of nature was a sign of his love and provision for them.  Nature shows God’s generosity – giving us more than we need or deserve.  Understanding God’s abundant generosity should make us grateful to God and generous to others.

(‘ Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!   We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. – Psalms 65.4   Access to God [Wall], the joy of living in the temple courts, was a great honour.  God [Wall] had chosen a special group of Israelites, the tribe of Levi, to serve as priests in the tabernacle (Numbers 3.5-51).  They were the only ones who could enter the sacred rooms where God’s [Wall’s] presence resided.  Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, all believers today have personal access to God’s [Wall’s] presence everywhere and at any time.)

(‘ Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works on man’s behalf! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot – come, let us rejoice in him.  He rules for ever by his power, his eyes watch the nations – let not the rebellious rise up against him.  – Psalms 66.5-7   The writer was remembering the famous story about God’s [Wall’s] rescue of the Israelites by parting the Red Sea.  God [Wall] saved the Israelites then, and he continues to save his people today.)

 

Balance between generosity and stewardship:

‘   My son, if you have put up security for your neighbour, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbour’s hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbour!  Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.  Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.  – Proverbs 6.1-5

These verses are not a plea against generosity, but against overextending one’s financial resources and acting in irresponsible ways that could lead to poverty.  It is important to maintain a balance between generosity and good stewardship.  God wants us to help our friends and the needy, but he does not promise to cover the costs of every unwise commitment we make.  We should also act responsibly so that our family does not suffer.

(‘ A loving doe, a graceful deer – may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.  – Proverbs 5.19   See Song of Songs, chapter 4, for parallels to this frank expression of the joys of sexual pleasure in marriage.)

(‘ Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.  How long will you lie there, you sluggard?  When will you get up from your sleep?  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.  – Proverbs 6.6-11 Those last few moments of sleep are delicious – we savour them as we resist beginning another day’s work.  But Proverbs warns against giving in to the temptation of laziness, of sleeping instead of working.  This does not mean we should never rest: God gave the Jews the Sabbath, a weekly day of rest and restoration.  But we should not rest when we should be working.  The ant is used as an example because it utilises its energy and resources economically.  If laziness turns us from our responsibilities, poverty may soon bar us from the legitimate rest we should enjoy.  (See also the chart in chapter 28.))