Scripture to Read: Exodus 36:1–7
God loves when we serve Him wholeheartedly, giving our all and holding nothing back, neither in our time, talents, or resources; that is exactly what we see the Israelites do in Exodus 36:1–7. The skilled laborers God provided started their work on the Tabernacle using all the materials the Israelites had brought. But what’s interesting is that the Israelites did not stop bringing what God had given them. According to Exodus 36:3, “they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning.” The Israelites were giving abundantly. The skilled laborers had to come to Moses, and they told him in Exodus 36:5, “The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the Lord commanded us to perform.”—what an incredibly great problem to have. The Israelites were so gracious in their giving that they had to be told to stop. God has ministries within Highview that need to be done, but because there are not enough skilled laborers willing to serve, some ministries are not being fulfilled. Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us in Matthew 9:37–38 that the harvest is plentiful but that the laborers are few. Then, He tells us that we must beg the Lord of the harvest to send out those laborers into His harvest field so that the work of the ministry can be fully accomplished. God is ready to meet our needs, but we must humbly ask (beseech, beg) Him for those skilled laborers; this way, we know it’s by His hand and for His glory and not our own.
Challenge & Application
· What did the Israelites do that the church today seems to lack in doing?
· How has God called you to give and serve, and how often are you praying Matthew 9:37–38 so that all ministries are filled with everyone that’s needed?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!