God’s people had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years. God decided it was time to free His people from their bondage. He sent Moses to be the leader of His people and to bring them out of Egypt – the Exodus.
After the Israelites left Egypt, God wanted them to build a tabernacle, which is sort of like a moving church that you put up and take down with you as you move. The Israelites, at God’s direction, wanted to construct a magnificent structure because it was to be associated with God’s name and presence. God specifically gifted Bezalel and Oholiab to lead others in the artisanship necessary to build the tabernacle.
When God told Moses to have the tabernacle built, probably the first thing that came to Moses’s mind was, “Where is the money going to come from?”
God said, “Simply tell the people to come and bring me an offering. Tell them what I need to have the tabernacle built. When they make me a sanctuary, I will come and dwell among them.”
When it came time to collect the offering, people brought gold, silver, bronze, expensive fabric, wood, oil, jewels and precious stones. They brought in so much that the people collecting the offering started to complain to Moses.
They said, “Moses, we have a problem. We have too much money and materials. Please ask the people to stop giving.”
Moses went out to the people and said, “I hereby order you not to bring any more offerings for the sanctuary.”
Scripture says the people were restrained from giving more.
These people eagerly wanted to be on God’s team. They showed their commitment to the team by the sacrifices they were willing to make. They gave willingly, cheerfully and freely. Why? Because they wanted the presence of God in their midst. They were grateful for what God had done for them.
God is still calling together His people – the Church. The Church is made of people who have a lot of money, people who have some money, people who have little money and people who have no money. Regardless of our income level, we are all called to do our part in support of the ministries of the Church, both for the local parish and the Diocesan Development Drive.
Would it not be great if your pastor had the opportunity to proclaim from the pulpit, STOP GIVING! WE HAVE ENOUGH, as Moses did with the Israelites? The results of having enough would be astounding – ministries would expand and the Church in Utah would experience unprecedented growth. We would truly be part of a winning team.
The Church needs resources to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, instruct the ignorant, comfort the afflicted and otherwise bring His mercy to those in need. Resources are also needed for the purchase of properties and the construction of new church buildings. Please give, because we cannot yet say, “We have enough.”
John Kaloudis is director of the Diocese of Salt Lake City Office of Stewardship and Diocesan Development Drive.
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