Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "More Than Enough" for Thursday, 16 October 2014 - Read Exodus 35:20-26 So everyone in the community of Israel left the presence of Moses. Then they came back, every one whose heart was roused, whose spirit was freely responsive, bringing offerings to God for building the Tent of Meeting, furnishing it for worship and making the holy vestments. They came, both men and women, all the willing spirits among them, offering brooches, earrings, rings, necklaces—anything made of gold—offering up their gold jewelry to God. And anyone who had blue, purple, and scarlet fabrics; fine linen; goats’ hair; tanned leather; and dolphin skins brought them. Everyone who wanted to offer up silver or bronze as a gift to God brought it. Everyone who had acacia wood that could be used in the work, brought it. All the women skilled at weaving brought their weavings of blue and purple and scarlet fabrics and their fine linens. And all the women who were gifted in spinning, spun the goats’ hair.
27-29 The leaders brought onyx and other precious stones for setting in the Ephod and the Breastpiece. They also brought spices and olive oil for lamp oil, anointing oil, and incense. Every man and woman in Israel whose heart moved them freely to bring something for the work that God through Moses had commanded them to make, brought it, a voluntary offering for God.
The people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough.(Exodus 36:6-7 (NIV))
A few years ago our beloved boss suffered a serious heart attack winter. As he began recovering at home, I sent out an inter-office request for meals to help his family of eight through this trying time. Generous people signed up, each with a favorite dish — lasagna, rice with beans, curried chicken. After a few weeks, my boss called with a plea, “Please tell everyone to stop bringing meals. Our refrigerator is overflowing. We have more than enough for days to come!”
Just as my boss had to hold back the generous givers, so did Moses. To help construct the Tabernacle, the people willingly donated supplies — a colorful variety of yarns, animal skins, wood, gold jewelry, linen. As they contributed toward the project, they supplied “more than enough to do all the work” (Exod. 36:7).
My boss was grateful for the outpouring of meals for his family. And I’m sure Moses appreciated the eager givers who helped with the Tabernacle. God was surely pleased as well, because “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Working together with willing hearts and faith in God’s power, we too can meet seemingly overwhelming needs.
The Author: Marion Speicher Brown (Florida)
Thought for the Day: Where can I join with others to provide “more than enough” for someone in need?
Prayer: Open our hearts to give joyfully, O God. Move us to become generous to others, just as you are to us. Amen.
Prayer focus: Organizations building affordable homes for families
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