Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 25:1-2 (New International Version 2011)

¹ The LORD said to Moses, ² “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.

In this part of the (hi)story of God’s people, the people are about to build the Tabernacle – the place where they will offer sacrifice to God. The Tabernacle was a substantial structure made more impressive (from an engineer’s perspective) because it was portable. It was a large complex surrounding a tent. Even the “walls” to the courtyard around the tent were made of fabric. The entire area would be disassembled, packed, and carried.

The Tabernacle comprised a huge amount of materials. The source of these materials? Gifts.

There were about 600,000 men in “the camp” of God’s people. I guess there were several million people when we add all the women and children. These people left Egypt with possessions given to them by the Egyptians and other objects accumulated in families over the centuries.

Now the people are about to contribute their items to construct the sanctuary. Note, this is not a tax where everyone is required to give according to some formula. This is an offering, where Moses is to

receive from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.

This is a model for Christians today. We are not “taxed” in our churches. I believe that we are not required to give by some formula. Some people bring forward the “tithing” of the Old Law to today and ask for ten percent. I don’t believe that tithing is applicable to us today. I do believe that everyone is to give as their heart prompts them to give in response to the blessings of God.