Read: Exodus 36-38
Focus Verse: “”and said to Moses, ‘The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.’ Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: ‘No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.” (Exodus 36:5-7).
Devotion: The people brought so much to give freely they were told to stop bringing offerings for the temple. It also tells us how much was offered. So, I did the math, well, google did anyway… In 38:24 it says 24 talents and 730 shekels of gold were collected to build the tabernacle. That is just over a ton of gold. US prices for 2020 put that at around $64.3 million worth of gold. But as we saw, people freely gave their offering so willingly they had to ask them to stop giving. $64.3 million of gold materials and the people are still trying to give more!? I wonder if this free giving has happened at any point in history other than that? Giving that wasn’t coerced or guilted. They didn’t demand the offering, guilt it, or specify how much to give, and yet they had more than enough. Why? I can imagine it’s because God was who was leading and requesting the erection of the tabernacle. God blesses his missions to come to fruition!
Pray: LORD help me to have trust that YOU’LL grow what YOU lead and inspire. Amen!
Additional Scripture: “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10)