Exodus 35 Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, "This is the thing that the Lord has commanded. Take from among you contributions to the Lord. Whoever is of a generous heart, let Him bring the Lord's contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; goats hair, acacia wood, oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, and onyx stones and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breast piece."
In other words bring your best for the Lord and for the supply of His house.
What does it mean to give your best to the Lord? Maybe it means not keeping the best for myself.
Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord's contribution.
Generosity is still something I struggle with. Not just giving in general but particularly giving of my best. It seems that the more I have the harder it is to give. I dislike this selfish nature. It is in direct contrast to what is required of a believer.
Matthew 16 Then Jesus told His disciples, "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 would lose his life for My sake would find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Of what will a man give in return for his soul?"
Good question.
So maybe I struggle with generosity because of a lack of faith.
If I let go of this life and my own plans to attain the next will it be there? If I give all to follow Christ will He be there for me? If I lose my life in Him will it be enough?
Shameful. But true for most of us.
We live our lives, by and large, for ourselves and our own families. We don't deny ourselves very much. The idea of bearing our "cross" or calling for Christ is not very appealing and losing our life to find it is risky.
Are you giving your best from a generous heart to see His kingdom come? His will be done?
Me neither.
For what will a man give in return for his soul?
Father You gave Your very best for us. How is it that we could be satisfied to give you less? Forgive us Lord. Remember that we are flesh and blood and damaged. Our minds and heart are twisted away from You by misconceptions of who You are and by the ugliness of our thinking. We are selfish hoarders, obsessed with greed for things that, in the end, have very little value and no eternal meaning. Help us Lord to see You as You are and to be mindful of our souls.
In other words bring your best for the Lord and for the supply of His house.
What does it mean to give your best to the Lord? Maybe it means not keeping the best for myself.
Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord's contribution.
Generosity is still something I struggle with. Not just giving in general but particularly giving of my best. It seems that the more I have the harder it is to give. I dislike this selfish nature. It is in direct contrast to what is required of a believer.
Matthew 16 Then Jesus told His disciples, "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 would lose his life for My sake would find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Of what will a man give in return for his soul?"
Good question.
So maybe I struggle with generosity because of a lack of faith.
If I let go of this life and my own plans to attain the next will it be there? If I give all to follow Christ will He be there for me? If I lose my life in Him will it be enough?
Shameful. But true for most of us.
We live our lives, by and large, for ourselves and our own families. We don't deny ourselves very much. The idea of bearing our "cross" or calling for Christ is not very appealing and losing our life to find it is risky.
Are you giving your best from a generous heart to see His kingdom come? His will be done?
Me neither.
For what will a man give in return for his soul?
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