Exodus 36

ScriptureExodus 36:3-7 (NIV)² Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. ³ They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. ⁴ So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing ⁵ and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”⁶ 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, ⁷ because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work. Observation In Chapter 36 of the book of Exodus, Moses tells of how Bezalel and Oholiab were getting prepared to do the work of the Lord. They were given the task of building the holy Tabernacle and were required to follow the Lord's orders as given by Moses. UnderstandingOur God is a God of abundance.One of my favorite things about God is his abundant nature.  He’s not a “just enough” God.  When He gives, He gives more than enough.  [Think of the stories of the loaves and fish; there were always extra baskets to go around.]  When He loves, He lavishes us more than enough – to the point that He sent His perfect son to die for us.  When He provides peace, it’s not just enough peace to get you through a moment or day, it’s peace that surpasses all understanding. (Phil 4:7) You get the point.  We serve a God of abundance. I believe this abundance is just as meant for God’s family and church. We see this Acts 2 – “All the believers were sold together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (vs 44-45).And, here in Exodus, we see abundance in the skills, people and offerings…to the point that Moses had to ORDER that they STOP bringing their freewill offerings because they had more than enough!  Can you imagine?! Many times in churches it seems the same small group of people are doing ALL the stuff…and that leads to burnout.  Reading this brought life to a vision of our church as one that’s overflowing; and I believe we are on our way.  As I hear and see the amazing stories of what God is doing through the youth, through marriages, through the kids…I believe we are on our way to a period of abundance. I ask this as much of myself as of anyone reading – What part will you play?  How will you give of your skills, your time, your energy, your resources?  Life ApplicationGod, I thank you that you are a God of abundance.  Speak to me today – showing me the ways you would like me to give of my abundance in a way that creates abundance in my spirit, my home, my family, our church.  And, from that abundance, may lives be transformed.  All to your honor and glory.  Amen. - Rei