Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 25:1-9.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me;  from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.  This is the contribution which you are to raise from them:  gold, silver and bronze, blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goat hair, rams’ skins dyed red, porpoise skins, acacia wood, oil for lighting, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones and setting stones for the ephod and for the breastpiece.  Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.  According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.”  Exodus 25:1-9.

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God did not impose a mandatory duty for everyone to give.  But rather, God told Israel to raise a contribution for Him:  “from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.”  Verse 1.

Today’s Scripture reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver.  

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”  2 Corinthians 9:7-8.

God gave a very specific reason for the contribution:  “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.”  Verse 8.

What a good reason!  Our hearts are moved to give at such a heavenly thought of God dwelling with us!!

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes;  and there will no longer be any death;  there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain;  the first things have passed away.”  Revelation 21:3-4.

In summary, let us use Scriptures in today’s devotion and elsewhere to eagerly meditate on the good that can happen when we give.  

When we give, we will be enriched in everything for all liberality.  God will give to us so we will have all sufficiency to do every good deed.     

When we give, we produce thanksgiving to God that pleases God.  

When we give, we fully supply the needs of the saints.

When we give, others pray for us.  

When we give, we demonstrate the surpassing grace of God in us.

When we give, others glorify God and yearn for us because of the surpassing grace of God in us. 

When we give, we show that we really believe God’s indescribable gift to us of His Son, Jesus Christ, Who saved us from our sins and hell and Who provided us with eternal life and heaven.         

“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;  you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.  For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.  Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”  2 Corinthians 9:10-15.