Co-Workers with Christ
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This arrangement was made by the Lord to impress upon the people
that in every matter He must be first. By this system of benevolence
they were to bear in mind that their gracious Master was the true
proprietor of their fields, their flocks, and their herds; that the God of
heaven sent them sunshine and rain for their seedtime and harvest, and
that everything they possessed was of His creation. All was the Lord’s,
and He had made them stewards of His goods.
The liberality of the Jews in the construction of the tabernacle and
the erection of the temple illustrates a spirit of benevolence which has
not been equaled by Christians of any later date. They had just been
freed from their long bondage in Egypt and were wanderers in the
wilderness; yet scarcely were they delivered from the armies of the
Egyptians who pursued them in their hasty journey, when the word of
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the Lord came to Moses. saying: “Speak unto the children of Israel,
that they bring Me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly
with his heart ye shall take My offering.”
His people had small possessions and no flattering prospect of
adding to them; but an object was before them—to build a tabernacle
for God. The Lord had spoken, and they must obey His voice. They
withheld nothing. All gave with a willing hand, not a certain amount
of their increase, but a large portion of their actual possessions. They
devoted it gladly and heartily to the Lord, and pleased Him by so
doing. Was it not all His? Had He not given them all they possessed?
If He called for it, was it not their duty to give back to the Lender His
own?
No urging was needed. The people brought even more than was
required, and were told to desist, for there was already more than could
be appropriated. Again, in building the temple, the call for means met
with a hearty response. The people did not give reluctantly. They
rejoiced in the prospect of a building being erected for the worship of
God, and donated more than enough for the purpose. David blessed
the Lord before all the congregation, and said: “But who am I, and
what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after
this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given
Thee.” Again in his prayer David gave thanks in these words: “O Lord
our God, all this store that we have prepared to build Thee an house
for Thine holy name cometh of Thine hand, and is all Thine own.”