II Corinthians 9.6-15
The LORD had been good to Israel. Psalm 73.1 Surely God is good to Israel
With her humble beginnings as a family of twelve brothers, she grew into a great nation while in Egypt under bitter and different circumstances.
What His Mighty Hand the LORD delivered them from slavery. Deuteronomy 5.15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm...
Israel enjoyed (still does today), like no other Middle East nation, the blessings of God upon its land. Israel has an abundance of water - fresh water, which to the Middle East nations, is more valuable than oil. Its climate is so varied. It can be snowing in Jerusalem and down by the Dead Sea 90 minutes away (17 miles by road, actually 10 miles) it can be 80. It is an amazing land. David Ben-Gurion, Israel first Prime Minister said, "In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles." Surely God is good to Israel.
When the time came to build the tabernacle God had Moses issue a call to the people to give 35.4-9. Thankful people give to the LORD. Thanksgiving comes from the heart. 35.20-21 God loves a cheerful giver. Giving is not to be forced or reluctantly done. It is a spiritual act of joyful worship acknowledging the LORD and His goodness in our lives.
Then Israelites gave so much that vs.6-7 Moses had to give an order to the people not to bring anymore gifts. They gave abundantly to where there was more than enough to do the work God had directed them to do.
Giving Abundantly...
1. Out of Obedience to the LORD -v.1
God calls us to give. It is His desire to be a joint venture partner with us... He invites us to join Him. It is a joy!
There are many contemporary accounts of this.
Willing hearts Exodus 35.5 The value of the gift lies in the motive and heart of the giver.
Think today of all the LORD has blessed you with beginning with eternal life!
His Word, His Spirit, His people, the blessings which come.
2. The was an act of sanctified extravagance.
Mary of Bethany with the Alabaster Jar of perfume Mark 14.1-9
The Feeding of the 5,000 men John 6.1-13
It is spring time wild flowers will be blooming- some in the mountains where few human eyes will see, God has splashed colors all over
We need to model Mary and be an imitator of God in this grace of giving... not gaudy or showy, but extraordinary and abundantly as He has given to us. We sow and God causes the seed to grow.
3. Out of Love
Mary, the children of Israel and the church- giving should be out of love for the LORD.
Jesus came that we may have life abundantly John 10.10
He is able to do abundantly above all we could ever ask or imagine. Ephesians 3.20-21
He loads us with blessings.
Give of your best
Give abundantly
Give out of love
For all He has given
The blessings from above.
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