THANKS to one of you who figured, the Gold from the tabernacle would be valued at 80 million dollars today!
This is to good to leave any out.
The plan for getting the materials for the tabernacle is outlined in Exodus 25:1-7. "The Lord spake unto Moses; (v. 1). When God speaks, we had better listen, catching every word, getting all the details.
The people
Moses was instructed, "Speak unto the children of Israel that they bring me an offering" (Ex. 25:2). Here is God's plan for God's work: God's people are to bring an offering. Building the house of worship was to be financed by the two million Israelite slaves who had been redeemed from the bondage of Egypt. If we who have been delivered from sin's slavery by God's power are not willing to give to build God's house, who should?
The procedure
Every man was to give "willingly with his heart" (v.
2). God's desire has always been that man's devotion be not forced, but freely given from a willing heart. The response is always based on God' goodness to man. How tragic for the redeemed not to give willingly so that others might hear the Gospel and also come out of bondage! It has always been true that :every man according as he purpose in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). The motives of the heart, on which God looks, make all the difference in His acceptance of our devotion.
Their offering was to be what they had in hand, from gold to goats' hair (Ex. 25:3-7). What the Israelites had was by God's provision. God "had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians: so that the Egyptians gave them "articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing" Ex. 12:35-36. All that we have today is by the grace of God "for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth" (Deut. 8:18). When the Lord Jesus said, "Without me ye can do nothing" (Jn. 15:5), He included getting our wealth, health, and all that we have. When God's people possess riches, it is because the Lord has need of them. He commands us to be good stewards.
In addition to the more costly gifts brought by the children of Israel were some humble offerings of goats' hair. Even the least prosperous person could have a part in giving.
The Problem
Moses soon faced a unique problem. "The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make (EX. 36:5), "If only we had this same problem in God's work today. Was such generosity due to fresh memories of the heavy bondage they had been delivered from? Did they give out of the depths of their love and gratitude? God help us not to leave our first love and forget what kind of persons we were before becoming Christ's.
"So the people were restrained from bringing, For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much" (v. 6-7-7). Wouldn't such a restraint make a fine announcement for a Sunday morning church service? If only those who have been redeemed were good stewards today there would be such abundant giving. We could build churches, schools, and mission projects for those who are crying out in need. Television's prime time could be bought and used to blanket the world with the Gospel.
The Person
It is significant that in Exodus 25:2, God said, "Bring me an offering." We need to be reminded that we give to the Lord, not to the church or denomination, or to pay the preacher. Giving should be an act of worship to God, out of willing hearts,
because we have been redeemed at such a glorious price. ABC Sumner
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