1 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”
2 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. 3 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. 4 So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing 5 and said to Moses,
“The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”
6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
Exodus 36
Wow, God's work here in the building of the Tabernacle is a joyful process for Israel. The people all give generously until there is more than enough. Moses literally has to tell the people to stop giving. Praise God for this amazing partnership of giving for God's work and blessing the people with joyful and generous hearts.
hold on a minute when is the last time at a fundraiser or church we heard that there was more than enough money? Perhaps not often. But usually we get enough to get by or in other words just enough to get by. The problem is that I get in the wrong mindset both that it is only people providing and that it has little to do with God. Maybe strong believers give generously so God is working indirectly.
Do we really believe God is the one providing when we are the ones working and giving?
Can we in faith and truth pray with Solomon:
"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
But do we really believe God will provide abundantly?
AS God provided for Israel and Moses work in exodus through the people and as God provided through the king of Persia for the work of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls when Nehemiah asked. Do we believe God can also provide for us and the work he has called us to? Can God provide for me through Christians I hardly know? Can God provide for the ministry at CU through people like the King who aren't even believers.
All of these questions I have to ask myself daily as I develop ministry partners or 'fundraise':
And the answer is sometimes I believe more and sometimes less. But that doesn't change who God is. God is always good and he will provide abundantly for his plans and his work in mysterious and beautiful ways.
So Lord I say I believe you will provide for the work of your kingdom through me your servant with InterVarsity at CU, but Lord please help my unbelief.
Amen
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