INSTRUCTED GIVING

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Exodus 30:11-13

Then the Lord said to Moses,

“Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel, each man who is counted must pay a ransom for himself to the Lord. Then no plague will strike the people as you count them.

Each person who is counted must give a small piece of silver as a sacred offering to the Lord. (This payment is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs.)


Giving has been one area of worship that could be controversial. The reason is not far fetched - - "human interference"


Generally, there is no way you will be part of a family or group without contributing one thing or the other.


The children of Israel owed their life to God, he had rescued them from the hand of their oppressors, it was little to ask for a little piece of silver each time there was a census. It seemed as if it was to say "Thank You Lord that I am among the living".


Exodus 30:14-15

All who have reached their twentieth birthday must give this sacred offering to the Lord.

When this offering is given to the Lord to purify your lives, making you right with him, the rich must not give more than the specified amount, and the poor must not give less.


"Learn to bring a gift!"


Those commanded to give must have reached working age and the exact amount was to be paid by the poor and the rich alike.


What was this money to be used for?


Exodus 30:16

Receive this ransom money from the Israelites, and use it for the care of the Tabernacle. It will bring the Israelites to the Lord’s attention, and it will purify your lives.”


We observe two things here; money giving to the Lord is entrusted to the priest for the care of the tabernacle. That is daily and asset maintenance expenses, it must be managed properly. It is not for personal gratification! Those who do that will incur God's wrath.


Some were never called of the Lord, they are just manipulators and con men, don't fall for their tricks, stay were the Lord has truly led you to fellowship.


It is thus the duty of every member of that fold to give.


When you give to God's work you bring yourself to God's attention.


God has always used internal revenue to provide for the temple and as we go through the books of the law we will see instructions on giving for the welfare of the temple and those who serve there.


Have you been giving to the Lord?


If you trust that where you worship is of God and that those who serve there are called of the Lord, then why not give, yes be disciplined in giving.


There is a mandatory giving just as the one we see commanded here, today some gatherings call it church dues.


Later on we see God instruct:


Deuteronomy 16:16b-17

On each of these occasions, all men must appear before the Lord your God at the place he chooses, but they must not appear before the Lord without a gift for him.

All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God.


Do not hold back as the Lord has blessed you. Give! It is not always about accumulating but being the channel through which the Lord does His good work.


May we have a better giving culture as God's Spirit in us gives us directive. We are blessed to bless.


Help us Good Lord.


He calls us blessed.


Love

@the watcher

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