So let’s talk a bit more about giving and how it should be done … and even touch a bit on the amount. AND this guidance is even from the Old Testament! Take a look at Exodus 36:3b-7:
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.
Did you catch what was happening??? Moses had asked the people to bring freewill offerings for building the tabernacle – recall that this is pre-Law. Not only did the people continue to bring freewill offerings morning after morning, they had to be – what does it say in verse 6??? Restrained from bring more! Can you imagine that? Moses had to tell them not to bring anything more because they already had more than enough to complete the work! It’s amazing what happens when people give as the Lord leads. In fact, just one chapter earlier, it says this in Exodus 35:21 – you may want to underline this one:
… and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting …
So … everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them … THAT’S how true freewill giving is to be done, Old Testament or New. And when it is done that way, there will be more than enough for God’s work. In fact – and this may come as a shock to some of you – there is not a single instance in the Bible where believers or church leaders/elders borrowed money to build buildings or do God’s work. Why? Remember that it is all His in the first place and He is simply giving us the opportunity to participate in building His kingdom. And yet, today, many/most churches don’t even give God the chance to work through His people and provide all the offerings necessary to build His Kingdom and avoid not only shackling future congregants with mortgage payments but all the interest also. Instead of God providing the resources, many turn to worldly banks, thinking that a “yes” to a loan application automatically means God is also saying “yes” – but is He really??? Maybe many churches are missing out on a huge growth opportunity for its members to witness and experience how God can “move them” and provide!