YOUR PART

Today's reading: Exodus 25-28

"The Lord said to Moses, Tell the people of Israel that everyone who wants to may bring me an offering. Here is a list of items you may accept on my behalf: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen; goat hair for cloth; tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; onyx stones, and other stones to be set in the ephod and chestpiece." Exodus 25:1-7 NLT

Imagine approaching the finished Tabernacle and seeing the piece of fine linen you had donated hanging on one of the bronze posts.

Think about noticing your prized onyx stone sparkling in the chestpiece of the priest as he walks by you.

Consider the blood, sweat and tears you poured into the flock of rams you raised, fed, nurtured and gave to the tanner for making the skins needed for the outer covering of the Tent of the Lord.

Ponder the blisters you received as you chopped the acacia trees for the structure to be built upon.

Contemplate how thrilled your great-grandmother might have been to know the gold bangle she had bequeathed to you was now melted and spun into gold thread embroidering the curtains swaying in the breeze.

Wouldn't it give you a sense of belonging? A feeling of investment? A visual reminder that you are a part of the bigger, grander, greater Kingdom of God?

I'm sure it did each and every one of the Israelites that had given what they had and what they could to the Lord.

And it does for us as we give to Him out of our storehouses of blessing. The storehouses He has stocked.