The Lord instructed Moses to make and erect a tabernacle, a worship tent that could move with the people as they traveled in the desert. God called Bezalel, a skilled craftsman, to direct its construction. And the funding for the project was to come from voluntary donations. The people of Israel were to give what they felt led to offer. The response was an outpouring of joyous love. The Bible says that “they came, every one whose heart stirred him, and every one whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s offering to be used for the tent of meeting. […] So they came, both men and women; all who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects. […] And every man with whom was found blue or purple or scarlet stuff or fine linen or goats’ hair or tanned rams’ skins or goatskins, brought them. Every one who could make an offering of silver or bronze brought it as the Lord’s offering; and every man with whom was found acacia wood of any use in the work, brought it. […] And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set. […] All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work which the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done, brought it as their freewill offering to the Lord” (Exod. 35:21-29). The women who served at the tabernacle entrance even donated their bronze mirrors for the project (38:8).
This Sunday, June 26, is an exciting day for the Seagoville congregation. The church is making its first special freewill offering for the auditorium remodeling project. The money donated in excess of the weekly budget is going into the remodeling fund. No, the auditorium isn’t a “sanctuary,” and the Lord hasn’t given the church a direct command to remodel it. However, there are good reasons for making a sacrificial offering this Sunday. The building at 510 N Kaufman St. is the church’s “house.” Its many rooms are dedicated to activities such as worship, study, fellowship, and recreation.
In our house we welcome a constant flow of guests, hoping that they will feel at home among us. A complete auditorium makeover communicates a very positive message to visitors: It says that we are in touch with the times, that we are diligent people, that we care. The people of Israel were so generous that the craftsmen had to ask for the donations to stop. Wouldn’t it be exciting if our remodeling goal were met this Sunday or very soon after? Let’s all pray fervently about this collection. And may the Lord stir our own hearts!