When God’s People Gave Too Much

Exodus 36:2-7

Exodus 36:2–7 NLT

2 So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the Lord and were eager to get to work. 3 Moses gave them the materials donated by the people of Israel as sacred offerings for the completion of the sanctuary. But the people continued to bring additional gifts each morning. 4 Finally the craftsmen who were working on the sanctuary left their work. 5 They went to Moses and reported, “The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the Lord has commanded us to do!” 6 So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: “Men and women, don’t prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!” So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings. 7 Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project.

INTRODUCTION:

I- THE CONDITION OF OUR HEARTS NEED TO BE RIGHT. (Exodus 36:2)

Exodus 36:2 NLT

2 So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the Lord and were eager to get to work.

A- Our hearts must be willing to utilize our spiritual giftedness.

1- God had specifically gifted people for the work on the tabernacle and its furnishings. (Exodus 35:30-36:1)

Exodus 35:30–36:1 NLT

30 Then Moses told the people of Israel, “The Lord has specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. 32 He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. 33 He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft. 34 And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. 35 The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers. 1 “The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded.”

a. Much detailed work had to be done.

The Tent and everything that went to put it together. (Exodus 35:11)(Exodus 36:8-38)

The Ark of the Covenant and the related items. (Exodus 35:12) (Exodus 37:1-9)

The Showbread Table and related items. (Exodus 35:13) (Exodus 27:10-16)

The Lampstand and related items (Exodus 35:14) (Exodus 37:17-24)

The incense altar and its related items. (Exodus 35:15) (Exodus 37:25-29)

Th Altar for burnt offerings. (Exodus 35:16) (Exodus 38:1-8)

The Hanging Curtains of the Court (Exodus 35:17) (Exodus 38:9-20)

The Ministry Garments (Exodus 35:19) (Exodus 39:1-43)

2- God has gifted every Christ-follower with spiritual gifts to carry out His work.

1- Edification gifts to build the church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Ephesians 4:11–17 NLT

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

2- Functional gifts to enable the body to function. (1 Corinthians 12:4-12) (Romans 12:3-8)

Romans 12:3–8 NLT

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

B- Our hearts must be motivated to carry out God’s work. (Exodus 36:2 b)

Exodus 36:2 NLT

2 So Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and all the others who were specially gifted by the Lord and were eager to get to work.

1- The workmen that God had gifted to do the work were motivated to get to work.

2- We must allow God to move us to serve Him. (Philippians 2:13)

Philippians 2:13 NLT

13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

3- Ultimately, His love must become the motivation for our service. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 NLT

14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

II- THE CONCLUSION OF OUR HEARTS MUST BE RIGHT. (Exodus 36:3)

Exodus 36:3 NLT

3 Moses gave them the materials donated by the people of Israel as sacred offerings for the completion of the sanctuary. But the people continued to bring additional gifts each morning.

A- You can’t out-give God. (Exodus 36:3 a)

Exodus 36:3 NLT

3 Moses gave them the materials donated by the people of Israel as sacred offerings for the completion of the sanctuary. But the people continued to bring additional gifts each morning.

1- The people of Israel gave out of willing hearts that were God focused. (Exodus 35:5)

Exodus 35:5 NLT

5 Take a sacred offering for the Lord. Let those with generous (willing) hearts present the following gifts to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze;

a. The recognized the special relationship they had with God. (Exodus 19:3-6)

Exodus 19:3–6 NLT

3 Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. 6 And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”

The remembered all that God had done for them.

They realized the promises that God had made to them.

2- You and I must cultivate willing hearts toward God and his service. (Romans 12:11)

Romans 12:11 NLT

11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

a. We must recognize the special relationship we have with God. (Galatians 4:5-7)

Galatians 4:5–7 NLT

5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

We must remember all that He has done for us.

We must realize the promises he has made to us. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

2 Peter 1:3–4 NLT

3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

B- The work must be pursued daily. (Exodus 36:3 b)

Exodus 36:3 NLT

3 Moses gave them the materials donated by the people of Israel as sacred offerings for the completion of the sanctuary. But the people continued to bring additional gifts each morning.

1- The Israelites continued to work daily through giving of self and means to build the tabernacle.

2- As members of the Body of Christ, we are to serve and give wholeheartedly.

(1 Peter 4:10-11)

1 Peter 4:10–11 NLT

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

(1 Corinthians 10:31)

1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT

31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

III- THE COMPLETION OF THE WORK MUST BE OUR FOCUS. (Exodus 36:4-7)

Exodus 36:4–7 NLT

4 Finally the craftsmen who were working on the sanctuary left their work. 5 They went to Moses and reported, “The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the Lord has commanded us to do!” 6 So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: “Men and women, don’t prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!” So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings. 7 Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project.

A- When God’s people invest themselves wholeheartedly, the work can be completed. (Exodus 36:4-5)

Exodus 36:4–5 NLT

4 Finally the craftsmen who were working on the sanctuary left their work. 5 They went to Moses and reported, “The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the Lord has commanded us to do!”

1- The Israelites kept their focus on the building of the Tabernacle until it was finished.

a. The God-called and gifted workmen kept working until the work was done.

b. The people kept giving until the need was met.

2- Each of us must stay focused until the work is done.

a. The work is to share the good news until all people hear it. (Mark 16:15)

Mark 16:15 NLT

15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

This task involves both evangelism and discipleship.

We must both witness and train witnesses. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We must give so that witnesses can be sent throughout the earth. (Romans 10:13-15)

Romans 10:13–15 NLT

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

B- We must continue to invest ourselves in the Lord’s work until it is done. (Exodus 36:6-7)

Exodus 36:6–7 NLT

6 So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: “Men and women, don’t prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!” So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings. 7 Their contributions were more than enough to complete the whole project.

1- The Israelites gave and worked until there was more than enough to finish the Tabernacle.

a. Moses had to give the command to stop giving.

2- We must not get tired and quit before the task is done. (Galatians 6:9)

Galatians 6:9 NLT

9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

CONCLUSION:

The example of the Macedonian Christians (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

2 Corinthians 8:1–5 (NLT) 1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.