Exodus 25 begins the instruction of how to build God’s temple. But before it starts, God sets forth a very important set of instructions. He says: “Tell the Israelites that they are to set aside offerings for me”. Did you catch that? He doesn’t say to ask them to think about and consider giving to God. It is expected and directed. We are to set aside offering for God. Period. It is not an option. Why do we think we can mess around with this whole area. It is so clear in many places. God expects us to give back. He does make this statement as well, which tells me that the motive is also important: “Receive the offerings from everyone who is willing to give”. I don’t think that giving or tithing is optional, but I do think that the attitude and motive needs to be correct as we do give. God wants us to be willing givers. He wants us to recognize that everything we have is from Him, and that it is not a bad thing to tithe, it is a privilege to give God back a portion of what He gives to us. He doesn’t ask for all of it, although He certainly could as it is all His. He simply asks for an offering or tithe – a portion. There is no reason we should be stingy or have a poor attitude about giving God what is already His. Are you a cheerful giver? That is what scripture tells us we need to be.
This chapter also begins the instructions for the temple. First comes the instruction for the ark of the covenant. It is referred to as the “Chest” and is designed to hold the “Testimony” that God gave the Israelites. This is a pretty sacred stuff and this is a major part of the journey that the Israelites will be going on as we continue through scripture. Next comes instructions on how to build the “Table” and the rules for keeping bread on it. The chapter wraps up with the plans for the “Lampstand”. The materials God calls for to create these things are very detailed and not the cheap stuff. “Use a 75 pound brick of pure gold” tells me that God wasn’t sparing anything in what He wanted created. But since God owns it all anyway, why not. It is His and He certainly deserves all being used for His honor and glory. The reality is that God cares about the details, and we will see that over and over as we go through the building of His temple. How much more does He care about the details of your life and mine. He is into the little things. He cares about all of it. Never think that anything you are thinking about is too small for God. He cares….
