Old Testament reading: Exodus 25-26
These and subsequent chapters are a difficult read, but there are lessons to be gleaned from this text. First, God wants our giving to come from the heart (25:2). The New Testament counterpart to this text is 2 Corinthians 9:7 – “Every man as he has purposed in his heart, so let him give, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Second, everyone has something to contribute to build up the Lord’s house (25:3-8). It was the individual gift, regardless of size, that permitted every person to have a part in the project. My gift is not compared to another from someone with greater or lesser ability to give, but is accepted according to what I have and my own ability (2 Cor 8:12). Third, there is a pattern for serving God (25:9). God gave Moses a specific plan for the tabernacle and the furnishings, just like He gave Noah a pattern for the ark. Man has never been left to himself to worship or serve God as he sees fit in his own heart. Neither are we without a pattern for worship and Divine service today (cf Heb 8:5). God is concerned about the details! People act as though they can do whatever they want and call it service to God, and act as if God ought to be happy with it (cf Lev 10:1-3).
New Testament reading: Luke 12-13
“Take heed and beware of covetousness.” While some say, “He who dies with the most toys wins,” the truth is, “He who dies with the most toys is still dead and must answer to God.” In our crazy society of deficit spending, credit cards and instant gratification, we would do well to remember the Lord’s words, “A man’s life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15), and ‘You can’t take it with you’ (Luke 12:20). Consider also the matter that prompted Jesus’ parable. In Luke 12:13, someone from the crowd sought to use Jesus’ authority against his brother regarding an inheritance. Jesus refused to be drawn into the dispute primarily because the man’s heart wasn’t right. Second, it wasn’t His mission to be an arbiter in human disputes. If there was a legitimate case to be made, there were courts to handle it. We would also be wise to confine ourselves to our own business (cf Prov 26:17).
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