When God's People Gave Too Much
In today's economy and the state of the church in America it is hard to conceive of God's people giving too much to meet the needs of the church. However, it happened in Moses' day. They had to restrain the people from giving, because they gave too much. (Exodus 36:6,7) What a fantastic problem to have.
Of course, when it comes to giving, the first ten percent (tithe) of our income is in a special category. God requires believers to return it to the work of the Lord. If we fail to do that, we are robbing God, and He can't bless us as He would like to. (Malachi 3:8-11) This is not just an Old Covenant command, because Jesus said it should be continued. (Matthew 23:23) It is God's way of funding His kingdom work.
However, we also take up free-will offerings like Moses did for the Sanctuary with its implements, furnishings, and clothing needs. I have often thought that we would need to receive less special offerings if every believer tithed, but either way, I am certain there is a place for free-will offerings. The offering which Moses took up for the Sanctuary was so abundant that they did not know what they could use it for, so they stopped people from giving. I pray that we might have that problem again when it comes to taking our offerings for missionaries and other Christian ministries that are worthy of our support. Just think of what could be done in the world, if this were to happen in every church all of the time.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 37-39.
Of course, when it comes to giving, the first ten percent (tithe) of our income is in a special category. God requires believers to return it to the work of the Lord. If we fail to do that, we are robbing God, and He can't bless us as He would like to. (Malachi 3:8-11) This is not just an Old Covenant command, because Jesus said it should be continued. (Matthew 23:23) It is God's way of funding His kingdom work.
However, we also take up free-will offerings like Moses did for the Sanctuary with its implements, furnishings, and clothing needs. I have often thought that we would need to receive less special offerings if every believer tithed, but either way, I am certain there is a place for free-will offerings. The offering which Moses took up for the Sanctuary was so abundant that they did not know what they could use it for, so they stopped people from giving. I pray that we might have that problem again when it comes to taking our offerings for missionaries and other Christian ministries that are worthy of our support. Just think of what could be done in the world, if this were to happen in every church all of the time.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 37-39.