EXODUS 25:2. “Speak 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.” 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 that guarantees many will see, large gifts. Whether from duty, habit or conscience – they give so their largesse will give them an inner self-made warmth. But 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?”
“I am convicted today, O my Lord, by the treachery of my own covetous heart wanting to keep what I have against a “rainy day.” I can give more because no one will know what I give but Thee. I resolve in my heart to give Thee more but my habit of smug self-satisfaction as a thousand excuses why I should hold back. Bury this terrible “self” beneath thoughts of Thy love, Thy mercy and Thy grace to me. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”