Numbers 7:2-3 - Then the leaders of
Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of
those who were counted, made offerings. They
brought as their gifts before the Lord six covered carts and
twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two. These they
presented before the tabernacle.
Moses had just anointed the Tabernacle and everything in it
for service to God when the leaders of each tribe showed up with 6 carts full
of offerings to help dedicate it properly to the Lord. Every cart contained
exactly the same thing. On top of the carts 12 bulls were given…one for each of
the tribes.
It is curious to me that all the offerings matched …exactly.
Perhaps they had all met…and decided before they went to each prepare the same thing.
They spared no expense...including golden bowls full of incense ….silver bowls…silver
platters…and many different animals.
There was so much to offer to God that each leader took one
of the next seven days to present it to God. Each cart was divided and given to
a leader of the tribes that had been assigned to care for the tabernacle. It
probably took most of a day to sacrifice all those animals on the new altar...and
then divide the roasted meat to the tabernacle workers that would receive the
blessing from it.
I can’t help but think that my offerings to God pale in
comparison to these leaders. I write my tithe check at the end of each month…careful
to give my 10%...from the gross amount of each of my income sources. I suppose
I could count the time I spend in several ministries each week. I sure don’t give what I used to…simply
because I make much less as a retired individual. But I have to ask myself the
question….are my offerings to God made from mere routine...or do I really have a passion to offer up my full self and
all that God has given me as income as a freewill offering to him?
Father…thank you for the reminder that my offerings to you
should be passionate and full of eagerness to help others. Forgive me for the
times that I have let mere calculation of income become my measure of given. Help me to learn to give freely…willingly…and
with my whole heart…so you can use my gifts of love to help others learn about
you. Amen.passion to offer up my full self and
all that God has given me as income as a freewill offering to him?
No comments:
Post a Comment