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Introduction
There are a few topics that are considered off limits when it comes to public conversation:
Religion
Politics
Money
There is something about the topic of money that tends to make many of us uncomfortable.
There are many reasons why this is the case:
Some have it.
Some do not have enough.
Some feel they need much more.
Some feel they have made bad decisions when it comes to money.
Some feel that if others knew how much money they had, they would be a prime target.
Many people are also apprehensive or suspicious about the fact that during a church service we collect an offering.
The offering has been part of the worship of the people of God ever since the book of Genesis.
We worship God through the fruits of our labor.
During the month of June we want to consider the topic of money.
We will consider:
The Christian and Debt
The Love of Money
Good Stewardship
Today we will start to look at money from the perspective of money being used as an act of worship through our offering.
The worship of God through our offering is voluntary
The value of an offering is not determined by its amount
God provides so that we may give back to him
I.
We can worship God through a voluntary offering
I. Podemos adorar a Dios mediante una ofrenda voluntaria
The setting of our Scripture reading is the dessert.
Moses has lead the people out of Egypt.
They have left the house of slavery to the the Promised Land.
They are in the middle of the wilderness.
There are no homes, no rivers, many wild and dangerous animals around them.
They are facing the harsh dessert heat.
The Lord speaks to his servant Moses:
The Lord is commanding that they take up an offering - an offering from all those who are willing.
This is not an obligatory offering.
This is not a mandatory offering from each one of the freed Israelites.
The purpose of this offering is to build the tabernacle.
Exodus 35:10
The tabernacle was a tent-like structure where the Israelites would come to worship God.
This was the place where God would dwell in the midst of his people.
After all, the reason why God liberated the children of Israel was so that they could freely worship God.
The offering that would be taken up would be used for building this structure.
We see the people of God respond generously.
Exodus 35:20-
We see the people come “willingly” and because their “heart” was moved to act in this way.
They were not giving an offering because:
Guilt
Shame
To gain something from God
To twist God’s arm in doing something for them
They were bringing their offerings as a result of God’s work in their hearts.
The New Testament speaks to us in the same way.
We bring out offerings to God as a result of a willing and open heart.
We give voluntarily - not based on what others are giving, not based on rule that is imposed on us, not reluctantly, or because of a sense of obligation.
We give because we know God “loves a cheerful giver”.
We should never feel manipulated to give an offering to the Lord.
If we are being manipulated to give, or we are being told that we are not spiritual because we do not give a certain amount - then we should run as fast as we can.
We are free in Christ to give a voluntary offering knowing that by it we give God glory and praise.
It is an act of worship.
II.
The value of an offering is not determined by its amount
II.
El valor de nuestra ofrenda no depende de la cantidad
In the construction of the tabernacle there was going to be need for many different types of materials:
Verse 5 speaks of various metals: gold, silver, and bronze.
Verse 6 speaks of various types of cloth: blue, purple, scarlet yarn and fine linen
Verse 7 speaks of various types of hides: goat hair, ram skins
Verse 9 speaks of natural substances: olive oil and spices
Verse 10 speaks of various stones: onyx and other gems
It is important to understand that the poorest and most well-off Israelite could contribute something to the construction of the tabernacle.
Those with less means could give the less costly materials whereas those with more could contribute more costly materials.
It could be that there were those that could not give anything.
Not to fear!
These Israelites could give of their talent:
Verse 35 speaks about those who were endowed by God with great skill: engravers, designers, embroiders, and weavers who would contribute their talent for the glory of God.
When we bring our offering unto the Lord we should not think that because it is much that it will be more acceptable than those who give less.
We should not think that because we do not have much to give that God will not take into account our small offering.
In fact, in the Bible the only time we see the Lord singling out someone who gave an offering - he singles out the poor widow.
Luke 21:1-4
There were many rich people that were giving out of the abundance of their own riches.
When they would deposit their offerings into the bronze containers they would make a loud noise.
Nevertheless, this poor widow gave out of her poverty.
If there was anyone that could not afford to give an offering - humanly speaking - it was the widow.
But Jesus recognizes this woman’s offering as an act of worship.
Whether or not our offering is pleasing unto the Lord does not depend on the amount, but rather it depends on the attitude of our heart.
III.
God provides so that we may give back to him
III.
Dios provee para que podamos ofrendar
Do you remember where the Israelites were when they were called go give an offering unto the Lord?
They were near the dessert.
They were not employed.
They were not in the Promised Land.
They were in the middle of a treacherous wilderness.
How could God be asking his people to give knowing the situation they were facing?
We may be thinking that the Israelites had nothing to offer.
The reason for this is we forget of a very important verse in the Bible that is related to the Israelite’s preparation to leave Egypt.
Exodus 12:
The Lord had prepared the children of Israel so they would not leave Egypt empty handed.
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