The Importance of Giving

Numbers 7:1 And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;
2 That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered:
3 And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.
4 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
5 Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

Psalm 119 is the longest verse-count passage (psalm or chapter) in God’s word. Interestingly, that particular psalm focuses upon one of God’s greatest gifts ever provided for mankind, His precious word. The second longest verse-count passage is Numbers chapter 7. Interestingly, God’s word focuses this chapter upon mankind giving gifts back to God. The passage could have been dramatically shortened had God chosen to give fewer of the details. However, the Lord chose to specifically delineate each of the gifts received from each tribe. Why? Maybe God wanted to emphasize the importance of every gift from every individual given to Him. No gift represented a lesser degree of importance to God Almighty. God does not need anything from man (Psalm 50:7-15) yet finds great pleasure in receiving gifts from those whom He loves.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

(For children): The greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind. Love obeys (John 14:15) and love gives (John 3:16). God wants us to give back to Him out of love and He takes particular notice of that giving. Read Mark 12:41-44.

(For everyone): Why would our gifts to the Lord be so important to Him if He has no need of the things which we have to offer to Him? What do our gifts to the Lord demonstrate about the condition of our hearts?

(For everyone): What are some possible reasons that the Lord dedicated so much space to delineating the offerings presented to Him by each tribe? What does this teach us about His care for our gifts?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

Ask the Lord to give you a heart that desires to give to Him.

Ask God to give you the ability to give Him more.

SONG

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken

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