Exodus 35 - Offerings of Time, Treasure and Talent

The Lord asks for a demonstration of our love for Him as we live out our lives. In this chapter as the Iraelites are bringing to the Tabernacle the materials they have God lays down some principles of giving that we can and should apply to our lives. 

Time (Ex. 35:1-3)

God asks us to set aside time each week to rest. Our work through the week is God's talents given to us applied to service and usually for material gain. God ordained work in the Garden of Eden, but He also set aside a day of rest to regenerate ourselves in God's presence. Christians frequently observe this rest not on the Sabbath (Saturday) but on Resurrection Day (Sunday). The principle remains the same however, we should break from work and rest in The Lord. 

I think the big danger for us without having this rest is that the fleshly nature that lives within us would start believing that work is our salvation and our sustenance and not recognize the God who gave us our provision and has blessed us with the abilities we have. We would trust in our work and not in The Lord. 

This time commitment to God is different from the tone of the rest of the chapter. It is a command, an order. Phrases like "The Lord has commanded you" and "you shall" are forceful and demanding. Also there is a punishment associated with its violation - death. 

The priests would spend many years helping define work for the Israelites throughout the remainder of the law so that this command would be clear. In doing so they layered their demands on top of God's to the point of making obedience virtually impossible. Jesus confronted these laws when He walked on earth. 

Treasure (Ex. 35:4-9)

Not like the tenth of all our increase that we are accustomed to hearing about; God asks the people to bring from what they have and take an offering to The Lord. He then mentions the items needed: gold, silver, yarn, linen, goat hair, wood, oil and the list goes on. 

Notice that this is only to be offered by those willing (Ex 35:5). In fact through the remainder of the chapter if you will notice the word "willing" is repeated again and again. This is not a mandate, but a request from the lover of our souls as a demonstration of our love returned. 

Talents (Ex. 35:10-35)

God then calls the people with special abilities (which He gave them) to apply their talents in the construction of the variousness pieces of the tabernacle. There was work for all types of people. Making the priestly garments, constructing wood posts, building the altar, fashioning the clasps, the lampstands and all the adornments. Notice again, this is a freewill offering. The people brought as God supplied (Ex. 35:29). 

Finally, God chooses some artisans for the detail work to be done. Ex. 35:31 reminds us that God gives the talents and the passion to use them for His glory.   While Bezalel and Oholiab were called by God for specific work. The rest of the nation however was called by God to be about the work God ordained as well. God has equipped each of us for service in our own way. Together we form the body of Christ moving along directed by God to impact this pagan world for God's glory.

God has equipped you for voluntary service. Will you say "yes" to his call and will you sacrifice what you have? If we who are called by God's name will apply ourselves to willing service as God reveals a need, our purposes will align with God's and our life will be immensely richer for it. 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.