The next lesson we will try to gather will be one of the things which should result from redemption— the “willing heart.”
Israel had been redeemed from the land of bondage and were now on there way to Canaan, the promised land. When at Mt. Sinai, the Lord told Moses to tell the people to make Him a sanctuary that He might dwell among them. Many fine and precious things, and much wise and curious workmanship would be needed for this sanctuary. Gold, silver and precious stones, fine cloth of various colors, beautiful embroidery, skins that were dyed, costly wood, and other things of value were necessary to its construction. All this was to be given to the Lord by the people, but there was one thing the Lord specially pressed upon them; that was, that all who gave must give with a willing heart; it was of such only that He asked an offering. When this was made known to the people, all whose hearts were stirred up, and whose spirit made them willing, prepared an offering for the Lord, and brought it to the work of the tabernacle. Men and women—every one whose heart was willing—brought their willing offering until there was more than enough for the service of the Work that the Lord had commanded. (Ex. 25:1-9; 35:1-29, 36:1-71And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak 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. 3And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, 4And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, 5And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, 6Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, 7Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. 8And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. 9According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. (Exodus 25:1‑9).) Thus they poured in their offerings until Moses had to tell them not to bring more.
My dear young readers, you who know Jesus as your Saviour, have been redeemed from a bondage worse than that of Egypt, and you are now on your way to the heavenly Canaan; but you have been brought into a place where there is Work to be done for the Lord, and this work requires means to carry it on. How many of you have willing hearts to give and to do for Jesus? What has He done for you? You well know that He gave His life—He gave Himself! Could He have done more? And are your hearts touched by this great love of His?
Then you will wish to follow Him and to serve Him.
There are many ways to serve, and one of these ways is by giving. Lay aside for the Lord a portion of your little earnings, or of what is given to you. All is from His good hand; give back a part to Him. Do this, and continue to do it through life and God’s blessing will be upon you. He will enrich you in soul, and that is better for you than to have the riches of this world, for it will make you happy here and will be rich gain in eternity. And neither will the Lord allow you to suffer here through what you have given.
If you give, do not give grudgingly: that would not please the Lord; give cheerfully.
What a precious word is this: “God loveth a cheerful giver.” Give to Him then with a glad heart, and rejoice that you have something to give! Praise Him for His goodness that He has put in your hand that of which you can give back to Him! Praise Him that He has opened your heart to make you wish to give to Him!
You little know what a store house of treasure above, you will be getting in this way. But the most blessed part of it is that He who has done all for you, will get glory out of it; and His name will be magnified.
May God give to each of my dear young Christian readers the “willing heart.” If you do not have such a heart, ask the Lord to give it to you. You will never be fully happy, or have rich blessing without it. The soul that is miserly shrivels up; but, “The liberal soul shall be made fat.”
ML 01/10/1904