I had to take a week off last week as I prepared to leave for Kenya, where I am now. I have had a good first week of work and ministry and this coming week should be the same. If you live in or around Nairobi, I will be co-hosting a purpose seminar next Saturday, June 1. If you are interested in attending, and I hope you are, then please write me for more information.
We are almost finished with our series "Put Me In, Coach" in which we have examining the concept of the propriety of exerting and exercising our personal will when doing the will of God. Is it ever appropriate to see a situation and volunteer to be involved even if we do not sense the leading of the Lord? I have tried to make a case over these many weeks that it is and here is one more argument to help prove my case.
AN OFFERING
When Moses laid the plans before the people for the Wilderness tabernacle, he said it would be necessary to take an offering to the Lord to meet the construction cost. Here is how the people responded:
Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord. . . . All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do (Exodus 35:20-23, 29, emphasis added).
The phrase "who were willing" is used three times as Moses described how the people responded. What they gave was designated a freewill offering. Therefore, the Lord did not tell them how much to give. He only directed them to give and left how much up to each individual. He did not say, "Give what you want," and then as the people contemplated the amount, the Lord did not whisper, "ten talents of gold," only then to have the person give ten talents in obedience. That would not be a freewill offering. It would be a willing offering if the giver's heart was right, but not a freewill gift.
AN APPLICATION
Therefore, it was acceptable for the people to determine how much and what they were going to give toward the tabernacle, so let's see if we can apply this same principle to our situation today. We are building the church of Jesus and He has laid out what needs to be done. We have received gifts from the Spirit and we each have a purpose to develop and fulfill. If it was appropriate to give an offering of money or wealth for the tabernacle, why would it not be appropriate for us to give a freewill offering of who we are and what we do to the Lord's work as our hearts move us?
What's more, since we are to exercise dominion over the earth as commanded in Genesis 1:28-29, why would it be inappropriate to offer those same gifts and talents to make the world a better place to the glory of God? Would God really be offended if you decided to help 50 orphans in Africa as an offering of thanks for His care and provision for your family? Do you think the Lord would respond, "Who told you to help 50 orphans? I only wanted you to help 10 orphans and let the other 40 suffer. How dare you step out of My will to do good? I am the boss around here, and you will do what I tell you to do--no more and no less."
That may sound preposterous, but it seems that some believe if they get ahead of the Lord or do too much or go too far that God will be displeased. My perspective is if God gave me a gift to write, then I must work to make it as good as it can be and then use it as often as possible. I spent nine years writing a verse-by-verse devotional of the entire New Testament. I started my publishing company to help other people write because I am a writer. It is a freewill offering of my gift to God's people to help them express their creativity and know the joy of having a published work. Did I go too far? Did I give too much? Am I outside the boundaries of what God permits? I will let you be the judge of that, while I continue to publish and write.
My point this week is that freewill means just that. We are to use our own judgment to freely and willingly give what we have and who we are to the world around us, both the church and society. God is not looking for slaves, although He does direct our work and at times will be quite specific about what He wants us to do and with whom. There are other times when the Lord poses the question, "What do you want to do?" and I maintain that it is permissible to respond, "Put me in, Coach!" After that, you need only look at the needs around you and put your hand to work. God won't be threatened. To the contrary, He will be honored and you will find the joy of doing something not because you have to do it but because you choose to do it. Have a blessed week!
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ALASKA! There is space for the Alaska cruise this summer from August 4-11. Here is the link with the information, but you must act now if you want to be a part. We will have a great vacation and still spend some time in the Word while we look at the concept of your life purpose. I look forward to hosting you on the cruise!
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