“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” Exodus 25:1-9
Before God gave particular instructions for the construction of the tabernacle, the tent where He would meet with his people, he enlisted through Moses their willing contributions. He needed material for the beauty and utility of the tent, and He invited everyone to participate. Each whose heart would move him was to give of their belonging and treasure to make Him a sanctuary where He would meet and dwell with them.
In our churches, and our communities of fellowship, worship, and caring for one another, we are each called to contribute. With varied opportunities to participate only in part, we can fall into an attitude of being spectators. We conjure many excuses for not being present- from inconvenience to discomfort to insecurity to frustration with people to preference of ease, and settle in to being takers instead of givers. We relish what we receive but fail to give from the treasure of our resources and gifts. We want to be served rather than serve.
Oh how selfish is the flesh! Not so Jesus. The unblemished One, completely undeserving, took on all our sin to bear the reproach and punishment we deserved, giving His all for us. He contributed everything in love- sacrificial, whole, unadulterated love. We finagle and bargain and hoard, to our shame and detriment. He came not to be served, but to serve. (Isaiah 53:4-11; Matthew 20:28; John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:1–8; 1 Peter 4:10)
How can we rid of a self-centered, pleasure-induced, culture-promoted mindset to take on that of Christ? When will we lay our all before the cross to reorient to the example of Jesus, freely offering for the good of His kingdom? The Holy Spirit who inspires the will and emboldens desire and also changes minds and opens hearts and hands.
What are we doing to contribute to God’s sanctuary? How do we participate in the treasure the church extends to her people? What are we giving to make for beauty, practical requirements, ongoing refreshment and teaching for God’s people? How are we building fellowship, fostering meaningful relationships, building up with encouragement, and spreading the fragrance of love and compassion? Honoring His sanctuary magnifies His presence in our midst.
“When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.” ~Isaac Watts (1707)
Father, may I daily spend myself whole-heartedly and sacrificially for Your glory and Your Church’s good.
As the rain and snow 