WILLING HEARTS
Thursday – April 24, 2025
Video link: https://youtu.be/jXHHpx9mM0s
Once again, we will be diving into this really popular topic of offerings (sarcasm) but first let’s review our anchor Scripture.
Nehemiah 12:44 (KJV)
44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
In the following passage please note that the qualifier for this offering is a willing heart. A willing heart is a want to, eager to, joyful giver. The purpose of the Freewill Offering is for the building and maintenance of the Tabernacle and so it is today. Let’s follow this further.
Exodus 35:21
21 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
Exodus 35:29
29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
How did the people respond? What about you, your Church? If not like this why not? Short answer: poverty mentality, nonbiblical teachings, and fear (lack of trusting God). Moving forward.
Exodus 36:5-7 (KJV)
5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
6 And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.
7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.
When was the last time your Pastor or other Minister got up and declared the congregation had given too much?
We may forget our offerings and perhaps our Church or others forget but God does not. Let us look at a Gentile, a centurion in the Roman army named Cornelius.
Acts 10:1-4 (KJV)
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Cornelius’ devotion to God but especially his giving came before God and brought the grace of God into His life. He had treasure in Heaven. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit came to the Gentiles (not salvation) through this man. What a privilege, what an honor. This man honored God, put God in the highest place, communed with God, and gave much. Does this describe you? The fruit of our lives that endures is that which is recorded by Heaven. Some of the fruit of our lives is never witnessed by others or even ourselves but it is recorded in Heaven is treasure for us in Heaven. The obtaining of that treasure is by faith, in love, in obedience to our calling and submission to Him. True security both here and later comes when our focus is the Kingdom of God.
TAKE HOME:
- Have you tested your heart, do you have a willing heart or something else.
- Have you ever heard a Minister say the people had given too much? If not, why not?
- Is God first place, the Kingdom first place, or is your focus elsewhere.
Lord willing, I will resume right here next week. Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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