Unbelievable Generosity

I’m using a one year reading plan through YouVersion to cover the whole bible in 2o1o.  I just read the most amazing passage of scripture in the book of Exodus.  I had to go back and read and re-read it a few times to let it settle in.  While I remember the scenes of Charlton Heston parting the Red Sea and destroying the golden calf with the first release of the stone tablets, I don’t remember this particular incident portrayed in the film.

After Moses lays smack down on the people for building and worshiping the golden calf, the people repent.  Moses then sets them to the God-instructed task of building the ark, tabernacle, courtyard, tables, lamps, etc.  Moses instructs the people:

“This is what the LORD has commanded: From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze;  blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair;  ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.” – Exodus 35:4-9

Did you catch the phrase “everyone who is willing?”  They were not commanded to give a particular amount or percentage.  It was left up to their individual willingness.

And the people responded with an unbelievable generosity:

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.  So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.” – Exodus 36:3-5

The people brought “more than enough.”  So much, as a matter of fact, that Moses had to take action:

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, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work. – Exodus 36:6-7

Can you imagine?  So much willingness, such hearts of generosity, so much investment in the work of the Lord, such excess of personal offering, that we might be commanded to give no more?  They were “restrained from bringing more.”  Wow!

It challenges me to look at my personal generosity.  I’m sure I’m not even close to a point where God might be considering telling me to give no more.