Text: Exodus 35:4-25.
Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded: 5 from what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; 6 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; 7 ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood; 8 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 9 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breast piece.
10 “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded:
20 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, 21 and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. 22 All who were willing, men and women alike, came…
25 Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. 26 And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair.
This theme of willingness and skill continues through the rest of Exodus 35:
29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.
31 [the Lord] has filled [Bezalel] with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.
34 [the Lord] has given both [Bezalel] and Oholiab…the ability to teach others.
35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work…all of them skilled workers and designers.
The theme is then continued in chapter 36:
1, every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work.
2 Then Moses summoned…every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.
This story highlights two fine qualities ~ abilities that were prized over 3000 years ago in the Moses story. These qualities are still highly valued today.
1. Willingness.
We find the word willing repeated six times in Exodus 35 & 36.
It’s wonderful to lead people who are ready, eager, and prepared to do something! Otherwise, it’s like herding cats.
Herding cats is a saying that refers to frustrating attempts to lead or organise people who are uncontrollable or chaotic. But that’s the opposite of what we find in the people Moses led. They displayed a fine quality of willingness.
So, let’s highlight some of the main truths we see reflected in the text:
- God champions those who have a “can do” attitude.
This entire passage of Scripture is cheering on those who contributed because they wanted to!
God is not in control. God doesn’t do control. God leads by consent. So should we.
Think of that famous verse in 2 Corinthians 9: Each one must give as they have decided in their heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (7)
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land (Isaiah 1:19).
God champions those who have a “can do” attitude.
- The “unwilling” are not mentioned.
We read nothing in these verses of those who were not willing, although the text infers that they existed.
Quote: Robert Frost, American poet, “The world is full of willing people; some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.”
Quote: Eleanor Roosevelt, “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his own weight, this is a frightening prospect.”
- Moses doesn’t try to get the unwilling to be willing.
I say the same to unwilling people @ bayside. I am not here to coerce you. We teach the Scriptures and provide plenty of opportunities to serve, but in the end, it’s up to you. And, some people need time to rest and be restored.
David’s prayer: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:12).
But there are others who just need to get up and help.
We’re two years out of lockdowns now. It’s time for some people to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
- The unwilling still benefit from the willing.
And so, the first fine quality is willingness. It’s wonderful to have willing people in a church, but this is also a quality that works well for you and others in every sphere of life (workplace, clubs and organisations, events with family and friends).
The second of our two fine qualities is:
- Skill.
Exodus chapters 35 and 36 mention SEVEN times: “All who are skilled among you.”
The wonderful thing about skill is that it develops as you willingly use your abilities.
There’s a difference between knowledge, ability, and skill:
Knowledge is the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
“We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes people arrogant, but love builds them up” (1 Cor. 8:1)
Knowledge only has value if you can apply it personally and pass it on to others who are willing to receive it.
Abilities are the qualities of being able to do something – learned and genetic.
Skills are your knowledge and abilities developed through training, experience & grace.
When you’re connected to God, your skills can reach their full potential:
He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.
He has filled them with the skill to do all kinds of work… all of them skilled workers and designers.
Every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work.
Every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.
What do you know?
What are your abilities?
What skills can you use to serve God and others?
Are you willing to use them?
At Bayside Church, we’re looking for all who are willing and those with skills – as well as those who would like to develop their skills by using their time, abilities, and resources to serve God, their church, and the community.
To volunteer your time, please click on this link.
Discussion Questions
Discuss times when you served willingly. What were the results? How did you feel?
Discuss Isaiah 1:19: If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land. What could this look like for you and others?
How do you serve, or how could you serve, at Bayside Church and beyond?
Discuss the difference between knowledge, ability, and skill.
Discuss: “When you’re connected to God, your skills can reach their full potential.” Use personal experiences of this.
Reflective Questions:
What do you know?
What are your abilities?
What skills can you use to serve God and others?
Are you willing to use them?