Ilagan Christian Church

Lavish Gift of God

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Summary

Moses’ people gave far more than was needed for the tabernacle, moved not by obligation but by a willing heart, and the gold, silver, and bronze inventoried in Exodus 38 becomes a picture of abundance freely offered to God.

That Old Testament generosity points forward to a greater gift: Paul writes that though Christ was rich, he became poor for our sake, so that we through his poverty might become immeasurably rich. The lavish gift of the tabernacle is a shadow; the lavish gift of God in Christ is the substance, and it is meant to move his people to give as willingly as Israel once did.

Essential truths

  1. God's tabernacle was built from the willing, lavish gifts of his people, moved by grace to give beyond what was required.
  2. The gold, silver, and bronze poured into the tabernacle pictures the far greater riches God has poured out on his people in Christ.
  3. Christ's own poverty for our sake is the pattern and the power behind lavish giving – because he was rich yet became poor, we are made immeasurably rich.
  4. Because we have received such abundance in Christ, giving to God's work is a response of grace, not a burden.

Encouragement and challenge

Consider your own giving to Christ's church in light of how much he gave up for you – let willing, even lavish generosity mark your worship, not calculation of the minimum required.

Reference verses

  • Exodus 38:21-31
  • Exodus 35:20-29
  • 2 Corinthians 8:9

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