Give as Your Heart Prompts

Acknowledging God

Give from a Generous Heart

Exodus 25:1-9 The Message

Instructions on the Mountain: The Offerings

25 1-9 God spoke to Moses: “Tell the Israelites that they are to set aside offerings for me. Receive the offerings from everyone who is willing to give. These are the offerings I want you to receive from them: gold, silver, bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet material; fine linen; goats’ hair; tanned rams’ skins; dolphin skins; acacia wood; lamp oil; spices for anointing oils and for fragrant incense; onyx stones and other stones for setting in the Ephod and the Breastpiece. Let them construct a Sanctuary for me so that I can live among them. You are to construct it following the plans I’ve given you, the design for The Dwelling and the design for all its furnishings.

For Reflection

God has given the moral and judicial laws. Now, God deliveries the ceremonial law. This law is the pattern for worship and ritual.  They are very specific.  Perhaps God, knowing the maturity of God's people, God sets just how God wants the religious ceremonies to proceed by the "book" so that it leaves little room for invention and establishing practices that would lead the people away from their focus and reliance on God.
In some ways, we still like the form of worship to be familiar and unchanging. Although God did not specify our contemporary patterns, they are in the same manner symbolic and intended to remind us of the basic tenets of our style of religion. The tradition of giving is still maintained. We offer time, talent and wealth as we are able.  We give from the heart for the love of God.

Pray

Pray so that you will commit your life and your treasures to the glory of God. Give to God the best you have to offer.

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