The AMI QT Devotionals from May 6-12 are provided by Pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church (Raleigh). David, a graduate of Drexel University and Columbia International University (M.Div.) is married to Helen (“Pie”) and they have three beautiful daughters (Cara, Phoebe, and Ruth).
Devotional Thoughts for Today
“Giving God Your Best’
Exodus 25:1-9
The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. 3 And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, 4 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, 5 tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, 6 oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7 onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. 8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. 9 Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.
When my first daughter was younger, I attempted to help her put together a dollhouse that we got from a yard sale. It seemed easy enough except that this dollhouse came with a list of complicated instructions and required tools, which I didn’t think we had. (We ended up having the tools.) The attention to detail in kids’ toys is nothing compared to the attention God paid to every detail in the tabernacle.
The tabernacle was a revolutionary idea — a place where God would live among His people. God’s instructions were so specific that they would make toy designers scratch their head. What was the reason for so much detail? The items God told the Israelites to use to make the tabernacle — gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, spices, and gems — were not ordinary building materials. These were high quality, top of the line, valuable items. God asked Israel to give Him their best, and He promised to do the same in return (Exodus 25:8-9).
So, what can we learn from God’s instruction to His people about giving? Here are a few lessons:
- Giving to God is an important sign of our commitment to Christ. Our willingness to give to the Lord is one of the main indicators of our spiritual health. Generosity is one of the vital signs of a healthy believer and if we are not consistently giving, it probably means we are not growing.
- Giving should be done out of gratitude from the heart. When we are touched by God’s grace, we feel compelled to give. There is something about giving to God that makes the heart sing because we know it is worship to Him and it is one of the best ways we can use our finances.
- We should bring God the best we have to offer. This is what it means to give from the heart – when we put in our best effort. Many of the items that were used for the tabernacle were costly and that should be the same for us. We ought to give in a way where it is costly but also seeing it as an opportunity to participle in God’s work and mission.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be a generous person especially when it comes to the area of money. May I be a person who views my possessions with an eternal perspective. Amen!
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 6
Lunch Break Study
Read Philippians 4:10-13: I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Questions to Consider
- How was Paul able to find contentment despite writing this letter from a Roman jail cell?
- How does Paul connect his contentment with his circumstances?
- What is the Lord’s promise according to v. 13?
Notes
- He was able to find contentment because Christ was his life and that was all he needed. Paul was able to learn the secret of contentment through his relationship with Christ Jesus.
- His contentment was not based on his circumstances. At times he had plenty and other times he was in need; on either situation he knew how to stay content despite what life may have thrown at him.
- The Lord gives us strength to find our contentment in Him. We have the power to overcome any circumstance we face.
Evening Reflection
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[d] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:6-7).
“No person was ever honored for what he received. He was honored for what he gave.” – Calvin Coolidge
Today, we were reminded how important it is to give our best to God through our finances. It means living a life of contentment and generosity. Think specifically of some ways you can be more generous. Here are some questions to think about:
- How do you want to grow in generosity? (Be specific)
- Who will keep you accountable?