Time with God – Cynthia Thompson

Being a Cheerful Giver

God has blessed us with so much in our lives. Family, friends, jobs, skills and if we know Jesus as our personal Saviour then he has provided us with the assurance of eternal life. We have every reason to be cheerful when we enter a personal relationship with God but how often do we show our joy and gratitude to those we come in contact with. Salvation brings a responsibility to do what we can to grow Gods kingdom on earth but rather than God forcing this responsibility on us He prefers that we take up this challenge or command cheerfully and willingly.

I was reading Exodus 35 recently ,which sees the children of Israel start the process of building a Tabernacle, and through the course of verses 4- 29 there is a phrase which is used 6 times and that is “ All who are willing” or “ All who are skilled”. The Tabernacle needed money, it needed tradesmen, and God through Moses commanded the people to give an offering of money or materials but this was not a demand. It was given to everyone who was willing.

Likewise to those who were skilled and willing the call went out to lend their abilities to the practical part of constructing the building.

The people were obedient and verse 21 tells us that everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him brought an offering; in fact they brought so much that Moses was able to say that no more was needed.

God loves a cheerful giver and he has promised that what we give to Him or do for Him will not return unto us void. In this reading we see the need for a willing heart, one that does not begrudge anything to God . We see the need for a close relationship with God and a heart that can be moved by Him just as the children of Israel`s hearts were moved. And finally we see the need to use our God given gifts for Him as and when we have the opportunity.

The Tabernacle became an impressive building and lacked in nothing. It started however with Gods people coming together as one and playing their part through the planning, financing and construction stages. Mighty things can be accomplished when our hearts are moved to give and work both cheerfully and willingly for God.