WILLINGLY. “Not this! Not now! Not just after we got it!” says the newly rich.
“After all – we just are getting what we deserve after so many hundred years working for nothing!” says the newly released slaves.
“You don’t have to. Only give if you want to – willingly,” and the heart is spoken to.
“Bring Me an offering,” says the Lord, “of every man that giveth willingly…”
The time had come to bring to the Lord that which willing hearts had to give. And they started to come laden with gifts from the heart for God. The bounty was there for all to add to – piles of it – given by willing hearts, until so much was there, they had to be told to stop giving. Appreciation for God’s deliverance and for who God is – moved them to give willingly.
Another generation – another time – another place, and God in flesh stands watching those of that time and place come to give. Some come in rich garments and, out of their great wealth, present with a flourish, large gifts that guarantee many will see how “holy” they are. Whether from duty, habit, or conscience, they give their largesse to give them inner self-made warmth. But look! There comes another, a woman with a clenched hand not looking up or around, but at the place where she knows willing hearts for the Lord give. Without fanfare or large “to do”, she places privately all she has in the receptacle that God alone can count - the “receptacle of willing hearts” – and God watches – and recompenses.
Another generation – another time – another place, and God still watches. Now it is my turn to give. What will I give out of my bounty? How much can I keep? There would be no problem, I think, if I only had a little. But God has filled my storehouse with enough to get a home and more. What will I give Thee, my Lord? I have been blessed. I am full. I am abundantly supplied. What will I give this day in the “receptacle of willing hearts?”