Numbers 7:50-55: a reflection

50one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense; 51one young bull, one ram, one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering; 52one male goat for a sin offering; 53and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud. 54On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh, 55gave his offering: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

In the long account of the tabernacle's dedication, the leader of each tribe brings his offering, and though the gifts are recorded one by one, tribe after tribe, they are given willingly and generously to the service of God's house. Silver platters and bowls full of fine flour, golden ladles of incense, bulls and rams and lambs for offerings: each leader brings his gift, and each is named and recorded. The generosity is willing and abundant, freely given to the worship of God. These were not grudging or minimal offerings; they were generous, brought gladly by the leaders of the people for God's house. The willing, generous giving of God's people to his service is honored here, each gift named and remembered. To give willingly and generously to the work of God, as these leaders did, is a fitting response of a grateful heart.

Notice the character of the giving: willing and generous, brought gladly to God's house. Each leader brought his offering, not grudgingly or minimally, but generously, silver and gold and animals for the offerings, given freely to the service of God. And each gift was named and recorded, honored, not overlooked. The giving was abundant and willing, a glad devotion of the people's substance to the worship of God. There is a generosity fitting for the work of God, a willing and abundant giving that holds nothing back grudgingly but offers gladly of what one has. These leaders modeled it, and their giving was honored and remembered. To give to God's work willingly and generously, out of a grateful heart, rather than grudgingly or minimally, is a fitting response to all he has given us. Willing generosity honors God and is remembered by him.

That is worth taking to heart, for we are called to give willingly and generously to the work of God, out of grateful hearts. We can give to God's work grudgingly or minimally, holding back, offering the least we can; but the leaders of Israel brought their gifts willingly and generously to the dedication of God's house, and each gift was honored and recorded. There is a willing generosity fitting for the work of God, a glad giving out of gratitude rather than a grudging minimum. Do not give to God's work grudgingly or minimally; give willingly and generously, as the leaders of Israel did. Give willingly and generously to the work of God, out of a grateful heart, rather than grudgingly or minimally, as the leaders of Israel brought their offerings gladly to the dedication of his house and each gift was named and remembered; for there is a generosity fitting for the service of God, a willing and abundant giving that offers gladly of what we have rather than holding back the least we can, and such willing generosity, given out of gratitude, honors God and is remembered by him.

Lord, in the long account of the tabernacle's dedication, the leader of each tribe brings his offering, and though the gifts are recorded one by one, tribe after tribe, they are given willingly and generously to the service of your house. Silver platters and bowls full of fine flour, golden ladles of incense, bulls and rams and lambs for offerings: each leader brings his gift, and each is named and recorded. The generosity is willing and abundant, freely given to your worship. These were not grudging or minimal offerings; they were generous, brought gladly. Show me the character of the giving: willing and generous, brought gladly to your house. Each leader brought his offering, not grudgingly or minimally, but generously, given freely to your service. And each gift was named and recorded, honored, not overlooked. The giving was abundant and willing, a glad devotion of the people's substance to your worship. There is a generosity fitting for your work, a willing and abundant giving that holds nothing back grudgingly but offers gladly of what one has. Take that to my heart, for I am called to give willingly and generously to your work, out of a grateful heart. I can give to your work grudgingly or minimally, holding back, offering the least I can; but the leaders of Israel brought their gifts willingly and generously, and each gift was honored and recorded. There is a willing generosity fitting for your work. Keep me from giving to your work grudgingly or minimally; help me give willingly and generously, Lord, out of gratitude, as the leaders of Israel brought their offerings gladly to the dedication of your house.