Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. Exodus 36:2-3 (NIV)
What a cool scenario! Moses was building the Tabernacle as God had instructed him to, and therefore he was going to need workers, and materials. So he made the request for these things known among the people of God, and they responded by coming and providing.
How many times have we seen others needing help, and what appeared to be a good cause being done, and yet few answered the call?
I have always believed, that where God guides, God provides. But does this mean that when people dont respond to a need, then it wasnt Gods will? I dont think that is always the case. Let me explain.
I believe that the Holy Spirit leads us to do things for others, providing us with a heart of mercy and love. After all, that is Gods will for our life (See Hosea 6:67). But we still have free will in this matter. When we are given an opportunity to serve others and to share by providing for something that meets their needs, we must seek God and ask His will for this situation. Often times we dont do this, and instead we intellectualize the situation and reason that we might not have enough money, or time to pitch in and help.
Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 1Timothy 6:18 (NKJV)
Some might answer, Well, times are tough Pastor Scott, and I have to provide for my families needs as well as my own. I need to be a good steward of the things that have been given to me.
Its true, we are to be good stewards, but we need to hear the Lord when He prompts us to give to others whether it is the giving of our money, or our abilities. And we need to remember, it isnt us who are doing the giving, its God. We are just the stewards of the things He has given us. So as He prompts us, we should be willing to respond, regardless of what we may or may not have stockpiled with regards to our money and resources.
The story above shows us this very thing. You see, the people who answered the call were simply willing to be obedient; they were willing to be used in ministry. They didnt have so much that they could give it away.
In fact, making the cloth for the tabernacle curtains, which required spinning and weaving, was labor intensive, and took much time and material. And the amount of cloth that was needed was staggering. These people were not wealthy, and if they had more than two to three pairs of clothes, it would have been unusual.
But God provided everything they needed, because it was Gods perfect will for them to do this. And because they were obedient to Gods will, they were able to provide more than enough for this job.
"More than enough workers for the labor
"More than enough material to use in making the curtains
"More than enough skill to give each worker to make the highest quality work
And when I say more than enough, I mean exactly that. Take a look at what happened when the people responded to the need and simply trusted God, and acted in obedience.
Finally the craftsmen who were working on the sanctuary left their work. 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! Exodus 36:4-5 (NLT)
God called for something to be done. The people obeyed the call and responded to the need. God supplied everything they could possibly need, as He honored their obedience. When it was over, they had more than enough, and Moses was able to say:
Men and women, dont prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough! Exodus 36:6 (NLT)
We need to remember that we serve a God that is mighty, and who is able to provide for every need. We shouldnt put Him in a box and limit what it is that He wants to do for us and through us, whether that is in the ministry, or in our personal walk and our personal needs. If we simply put our trust in Him and follow His leading, He will provide every single thing that is needed to complete the work of the ministry, and for taking care of every need we have.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn with regards to being faithful to answer Gods call from the scriptures above?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you willing to step out in faith and answer Gods call to be a part of ministry, and help the needs of others?
APPLICATION: Dont worry about what you are able to do, because God can and will use you today in a mighty way. Allow Him to utilize you this very day. Simply be willing; He will do the rest.
Father, Thank You for allowing me to be a part of Your ministry. I am willing to be used today in whatever capacity that You have called me. I confess Lord, that there are times when I intellectualize the need and deduct that I am not qualified. Help me to look to You during these times and allow You to empower and equip me for these challenges. In Jesus precious name, amen
What a cool scenario! Moses was building the Tabernacle as God had instructed him to, and therefore he was going to need workers, and materials. So he made the request for these things known among the people of God, and they responded by coming and providing.
How many times have we seen others needing help, and what appeared to be a good cause being done, and yet few answered the call?
I have always believed, that where God guides, God provides. But does this mean that when people dont respond to a need, then it wasnt Gods will? I dont think that is always the case. Let me explain.
I believe that the Holy Spirit leads us to do things for others, providing us with a heart of mercy and love. After all, that is Gods will for our life (See Hosea 6:67). But we still have free will in this matter. When we are given an opportunity to serve others and to share by providing for something that meets their needs, we must seek God and ask His will for this situation. Often times we dont do this, and instead we intellectualize the situation and reason that we might not have enough money, or time to pitch in and help.
Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 1Timothy 6:18 (NKJV)
Some might answer, Well, times are tough Pastor Scott, and I have to provide for my families needs as well as my own. I need to be a good steward of the things that have been given to me.
Its true, we are to be good stewards, but we need to hear the Lord when He prompts us to give to others whether it is the giving of our money, or our abilities. And we need to remember, it isnt us who are doing the giving, its God. We are just the stewards of the things He has given us. So as He prompts us, we should be willing to respond, regardless of what we may or may not have stockpiled with regards to our money and resources.
The story above shows us this very thing. You see, the people who answered the call were simply willing to be obedient; they were willing to be used in ministry. They didnt have so much that they could give it away.
In fact, making the cloth for the tabernacle curtains, which required spinning and weaving, was labor intensive, and took much time and material. And the amount of cloth that was needed was staggering. These people were not wealthy, and if they had more than two to three pairs of clothes, it would have been unusual.
But God provided everything they needed, because it was Gods perfect will for them to do this. And because they were obedient to Gods will, they were able to provide more than enough for this job.
"More than enough workers for the labor
"More than enough material to use in making the curtains
"More than enough skill to give each worker to make the highest quality work
And when I say more than enough, I mean exactly that. Take a look at what happened when the people responded to the need and simply trusted God, and acted in obedience.
Finally the craftsmen who were working on the sanctuary left their work. 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! Exodus 36:4-5 (NLT)
God called for something to be done. The people obeyed the call and responded to the need. God supplied everything they could possibly need, as He honored their obedience. When it was over, they had more than enough, and Moses was able to say:
Men and women, dont prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough! Exodus 36:6 (NLT)
We need to remember that we serve a God that is mighty, and who is able to provide for every need. We shouldnt put Him in a box and limit what it is that He wants to do for us and through us, whether that is in the ministry, or in our personal walk and our personal needs. If we simply put our trust in Him and follow His leading, He will provide every single thing that is needed to complete the work of the ministry, and for taking care of every need we have.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn with regards to being faithful to answer Gods call from the scriptures above?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you willing to step out in faith and answer Gods call to be a part of ministry, and help the needs of others?
APPLICATION: Dont worry about what you are able to do, because God can and will use you today in a mighty way. Allow Him to utilize you this very day. Simply be willing; He will do the rest.
Father, Thank You for allowing me to be a part of Your ministry. I am willing to be used today in whatever capacity that You have called me. I confess Lord, that there are times when I intellectualize the need and deduct that I am not qualified. Help me to look to You during these times and allow You to empower and equip me for these challenges. In Jesus precious name, amen
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