Motivation.
Exodus 35:4–9
And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying: ‘Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.
This was all listed before in Chapter 25. There, it was in the future tense. Now it’s time to act.
The LORD reiterates that the offering is strictly voluntary. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD. No requirements, no formulas. This stands in stark contrast to the sacrifices, where specific details must be followed exactly.
“All that open the womb are Mine, and every male firstborn among your livestock, whether ox or sheep. But the firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb. And if you will not redeem him, then you shall break his neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. — Exodus 34:19–20 (NKJV)
This contrast between required covenantal procedures and heart-driven giving is one of the most important concepts in all theology.
Unfortunately, people often conflate the two.
This is particularly common in modern Christianity. The required part is simple. Christ requires only one thing–that He be the lord of your life. As clear as this is, people get it wrong. They think you only have to confess Him as lord. Not true.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” — Matthew 7:21 (NKJV)
He must actually be your lord. Worse still—and I hear this on the radio all the time—are people who think you only need to confess Jesus as savior. The concept of lordship is often not even mentioned.
Yikes! That’s focusing on a benefit of being a Christian instead of focusing on being one.
But the other extreme is just as bad. Some folks think that works are required the way faith is required. Not so. While the absence of visible works can look bad, we don’t know the circumstances. Everyone’s calling is unique. Give time and effort as you are called, not out of obligation.
It’s all about the heart. Heart-driven giving is not a required covenantal procedure. The motivation is love for God and love for our neighbors. And yes, loving some neighbors can be hard. That doesn’t change the standard, even when it’s not a requirement. Living this out doesn’t save you; it glorifies God.
That’s what’s important anyway.
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These weekday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. Saturdays’ by Matt Richardson. Subscribe here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/community
The weekly study guides, which include questions for discussion or meditation, are here: https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NASB stands for the New American Standard Bible. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.
