Pocket Treasure

Our church is focusing on commitments to give, and we've been looking at the related joys of giving. This all reminds me of a particular Sunday when my son was just a little fellow.

One of the most stoic pillars of our former church was passing the offering plate down the aisle. I honestly do not remember having ever seen this quiet, gentle giant smile before. He came to our pew, where my son had scooted beyond my reach to the end nearest the man. When the somber gentleman presented the offering plate, my son began to methodically empty his little-boy-pocket of its contents onto the seat. One by one, out came all the treasures: a crayon, a matchbox car, a string, etc.

As his mom, I was getting a little nervous, knowing the serious nature of the man who still stood holding the outstretched plate. I looked up to see the man almost chuckling! He was deeply enjoying the process with great patience, and his eyes sparkled with true delight.

I've looked back on that moment many times down through the years as I've thought about the process of giving. What does God watch us empty from our pockets? Is he amused by our struggle to sort through our treasures and find what we want to give?

Need and Giving

Each need in our lives is an opportunity for God's power and glory to be made known. Because of the needs that a church can face, we must recognize that this is not only an opportunity for material and physical improvement but spiritual growth and enrichment as well.

"Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.... And let them construct a sanctuary for Me that I may dwell among them. According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it." (Ex. 25:2, 8-9) The chapters following this challenge to God's people describe in great detail the building and furnishing of the tabernacle. Notice, however, that the giving was to be done by each one "whose heart moves him." Although God was greatly concerned about the condition and appearance of His house of worship, He was equally involved in the conditions of the heart.

After the challenge and instructions were given, God's people were revealed and judged according to their worship of idols. Revival took place. "All the men and women whose heart moved them to bring material for all the work, which the Lord had commanded through Moses to be done, brought a freewill offering to the Lord." (Ex. 35:29) The people gave and continued to give until Moses had to command them to stop!

When David set aside provisions for the temple of God that would be built by Solomon, again the hearts of the people were moved. "Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly... 'Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from Thee, and from Thy hand we have given Thee.'" (1 Chron. 29:9, 13-14) When the people gave with their whole hearts, they were amazed at their own giving!

Indeed, God uses needs to make His power and glory known, and He does so through the moving of hearts!