Exodus – Chapter 36

…and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” Exodus 36:5 – With the majority of this chapter being a description of the work completed that was outlined for us in previous chapters, my past devotions over this chapter have all been about the people’s willingness to give like this. How wonderful is it to see that the body was willing to give above and beyond what was needed, to the point that the leaders had to restrain the people from offering to the Lord. While this would be a dream for leaders in the church today, maybe we can learn from this passage as to why this was happening then and why we don’t see this often happening today. We see that the workers must have had a detailed plan, knowing exactly what was needed for the work, for they could tell immediately when the offerings surpassed the need for the project. Do we as a church take the time to truly know the needs and prepare for the work like this when we’re asking for help and offerings? We see these workers set God’s word as their blueprint and never removed it from that role in the build. Do we as a church keep God’s word as the blueprint to all we do, never removing it from the role as our compass? When we don’t have the money coming in, or the volunteers stepping up, or the talents being used in the church, be sure you are doing your part first. If you’re a church leader, don’t be lazy in the work but plan, serve hard, and lead like a leader should. If you’re a church member, and you see such a lack in the offerings to the Lord in your church family, ask are you responding faithfully to the stirring God is putting in your heart or rejecting it? Things get done in church when leaders lead as God leads them and when the body steps up as God calls them to. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3180

Exodus 36 Daily DEVO And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” Exodus 36:3-5 – Those doing the work God asked them to do had more than enough to get it done. I see a couple points with this passage I want to highlight. First, let’s seek to have hearts like this where when we see God moving were ready to give and keep giving to His purpose. Second, let’s trust that when we move with God He’s going to keep providing. He provided for yesterday, and He’ll provide for today, and tomorrow is already taken care of. So don’t be afraid to give to what God is doing and trust God’s going to provide where there is a need in your story. He’s the creator of the universe after all, I believe He is able to take care of the child that He loves. I truly believe He’s able to take care of you and surprise you along the way by how well He’s able to do it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 830

And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more. Exodus 36:3-7 – This passage hits home for me right now when I think of the season our church is currently in. This past Sunday our awesome senior pastor announced his retirement, which for any church is a big blow. What has been amazing is to see how the church is stepping up already to take on the task of covering the gap. Hearts and minds wanting to give, wanting to serve, wanting to make this the best it can be. As with the Israelites, when you see God truly moving it’s not a matter of getting people to give but getting them to stop! In our passage they had to restrain people from giving more, what a “problem” to have in a church! Where then is your heart when it comes to giving? Which describes your attitude towards giving of what you have to God’s work…reluctant or restrained? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1919