Title
The Grace of Giving
Scripture
Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.
(Exodus 25:2)
Devotional
God has always used His people to accomplish His bidding. Whenever there was a need, the Lord would meet that need through His children. He has not changed His method of supplying the resources to build His Kingdom. When there is a need in His Church, God supplies that need by prospering His people. The people are in turn called to obedience in first giving of the tithe and then the offering. The tithe is the Lord’s. It is the first portion of our income and resources that belongs to Him. “All the tithe is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.” Here, the Lord is asking for a voluntary offering, one that is given willingly. It is not only voluntary; it is specific. The people were told exactly what was needed. God, to this day, builds in the same manner. God knows our need to give. He knows the importance of participatory stewardship. Therefore, it is a joy to give willingly and to see the completion of the work of the Lord.