“Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord’s contribution… Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the Lord has commanded.
“And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments… All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord… Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it… Every one who possessed acacia wood of any use brought it. Every skillful woman… brought what they had spun in blue, purple, and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats’ hair. The leaders brought onyx and stones to be set, for the ephod and the breastpiece, and spices and oil for the light, and the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense. All… whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work… brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.
“Moses said, ‘The Lord has called by name Bezalel;.. and has filled him with the Spirit of God, skill, intelligence, knowledge, and craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft. And he has inspired him to teach… He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or a designer or an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or a weaver—by any sort of workman or skilled designer.’
“Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work… They kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning… The material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.” Exodus 35:5,10,21-22,24-35; 36:2,3b,7
God gave Moses His plans for the tabernacle, and Moses spoke to the people. Through His words, individual hearts were stirred and spirits moved to contribute toward the resplendent place of sacrifice and worship. Varied treasures and goods, particular skills and intelligence, were summoned by the Almighty in measure sufficient for His work and glory.
God is still in the business of stirring and moving individuals for His kingdom work. The beauty of His plans so inspired is that they are always met with His supply. Burnout, failure to complete, and unhealthy stress come when we fail to balance His call and gifting with margin and rest, or when a few try to do the work intended for many. Humbly acknowledging and offering our grace-given gifts, and seeking His direction and will, result in effective service that glorifies Him. (Romans 12:1-8; 2 Corinthians 9:10-14; Philippians 4:19)
To what is my heart stirred this day, and how readily do I respond? If I do not know His regular movement of my spirit, am I taking time to listen? Has my heart calloused with greed or selfishness? Where is He calling me to give or serve, and how can I encourage others to join His work?
Lord, stir my heart in love for Thee, and move me to contribute as You choose, for Your glorious sake.
As the rain and snow 