Overflowing Commitment
Exodus 35:4-29
This is a commitment passage, with the Israelites dedicating things to the Lord. Since we have Commitment Sunday next week, I think it is good for us to consider how it is that we would prepare our hearts for a similar commitment moment. What are the criteria that the Lord desires for commitment?
1.God desires
hearts. (v. 4)
There was, however, a criteria. The selection process is not based on income or gender, but instead on heart condition. (v. 5) Over and over in this passage the heart is mentioned. “Whoever is of a generous heart…” (v. 5). “And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him…” (v. 21). “All who were of a willing heart brought…” (v. 22). “All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring…” (v. 29).
2.Who
to Him. (v. 5)
Multiple times the passage declares that the gift is to the Lord. “Take from among you a contribution to the Lord.” (v. 5) “Every man dedicating an offering to the Lord.” (v. 22) “They brought it as the Lord’s contribution.” (v. 24) “brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.” (v. 29) This is interesting, as we would most likely say that the gift is to the tabernacle. So why is it said that this gift is to the Lord?
3.That which is
. (vv. 5-9)
The heart of generosity is to give that which is valuable to us, because that which is valuable is the thing we will be temped to idolize. This is why being a disciple requires daily death, because we must be willing to give over that which we would be tempted to hold back from the Lord.
God has always wanted our hearts more than our valuables. That was the mission of Jesus from the very beginning—to capture the hearts of humanity.
God has always wanted us to pursue Him over any other item. That is the mindset behind the Lord giving us Jesus.
God has always wanted us to give Him our most valuable thing. That is the mindset behind the Lord giving us his most valuable thing.*