THEY BROUGHT MORE THAN ENOUGH

Dearly Beloved, THEY BROUGHT MORE THAN ENOUGH "[The workers] said to Moses, 'The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.' Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: 'No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.' And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work" (Exodus 36:5-7, NIV). For forty years, the story of the nation of Israel in the wilderness was littered with their stubbornness. Their stubbornness denied Moses the opportunity of getting to the Promised Land. However, they were not totally bad after all. They willingly brought freewill offerings to the construction of the tabernacle. In fact, they were told not to bring it again because they brought more than enough. In the days of Hezekiah, the people also brought more than enough. The priests "had enough to eat and plenty to spare because the LORD has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over" (2 Chronicles 31:10, NIV). I wonder if such can happen in our churches today. Can people give to the cause of the church and missions in excess? Has the pastor/church leader ever told the people to keep their offerings because the church had had more than enough? Giving should not be a thing that the pastors and church leaders will be monitoring. People should be ready to give willingly, out of their hearts, without compulsion or reluctantly, even beyond their ability "for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV, see also 8:3, 12; Exodus 25:2; 35:5; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Romans 12:8). Many rewards await anyone who freely gives (Proverbs 11:24-25; 22:9; Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:6). Are you also ready to give more than enough? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will have the heart of giving that nobody will be running after you to give to humanity and the cause of God.