Exodus 36:4–5: “Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing, and they spoke to Moses, saying, ‘The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the LORD commanded us to do.'”

December 10th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Moses gathered all the children of Israel together to instruct them as they began the work of building the tabernacle. God started with a reminder about their need to keep a day of rest and then He asked the people for an offering. The people went back to their tents and gathered their offerings. They brought what they had, and it was “much more than enough.” The people were so generous Moses had to stop them from bringing any more.

God reminded His people in Exodus 35 that they must give to Him only out of a “willing heart.” Everything was to be a free-will offering, not one that was drawn out or forced by guilt. God has promised us throughout the Scriptures that if we will give, He will give back to us. But our God loves a cheerful, hilarious giver as He tells us in the New Testament (2 Cor. 9:7). Much more is meant here than just giving money. It also means giving our time, energy, and talents. God is still looking for our willing hearts today.

Two men, Bezalel and Aholiab, were called by God to give Him their artistic skill and labor. He had already empowered them by His Spirit to do the job He was calling them to do. God has a work for each of us and whatever God directs, He will supply. It is probably not a coincidence that Bezalel was from Judah, the first tribe, and Aholiab was from Dan, the last tribe. God was picking from the beginning and the end, the first and the last, because He was going to use every willing person in this venture of faith.

“LORD, please use us this day in Your kingdom!”