Exodus 35:24
Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD’s offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it. Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD’s offering: and every man, with whom was found shittim wood for any work of the service, brought it.
Everyone who possessed silver and bronze and acacia wood suitable for any part of the work brought it as the Lord's offering of materials to build and furnish the tabernacle as a dwelling place for Him. These were freewill gifts given willingly and generously from the heart in response to God's call, and the people gave so freely that there was more than could be used until Moses had to tell them to stop bringing materials. God signified His acceptance of their willing generosity when the completed tabernacle was filled with His glory. Besides regular gifts proportioned to what each possesses, God still calls for special freewill offerings for particular objects, to be given willingly, liberally, and sufficiently for the work rather than grudgingly or at the least possible cost, reflecting the value placed on His presence. Their example shows how those who know there is work to do for God can support it with their means and cooperation without being urged, so that each can share in the work and its blessing and learn to help build His temple in the soul.
Gifts for the Tabernacle
Everyone who had silver and brass or bronze brought it as the Lord's offering, and every man with whom was found shittim wood, or acacia wood, suitable and useful for any work of the service brought it as material to build, enrich, and prepare the tabernacle sanctuary as a dwelling place for the Lord. These gifts were part of the freewill offerings for the service of the sanctuary, supplied by willing hearts in response to God's call and commanded work. The skill, wisdom, and materials contributed for this work were themselves gifts from God, to be used for His glory.
The gifts were given willingly, freely, cheerfully, generously and from the heart, as a willing and generous response to the call to build the tabernacle. They included ornaments and jewelry brought freely with the silver, brass, and shittim wood for the work of the tabernacle. The materials were given willingly for building and enriching the tabernacle.
The people gave so freely and abundantly that there was more than enough for the work, even more than could be used. Their willing generosity supplied the tabernacle work and exceeded what could be used. Because enough had been provided, Moses had to tell the people to stop bringing materials.
The earthly tabernacle was built with exactitude, skill, tact, wisdom, and perfection, and with care under His direction, according to the pattern shown to Moses in the mount. God requires that same perfection and mental strength in every line of work done in His service. God signified His acceptance of this willing generosity when the completed tabernacle was filled with His glory.
Principles for Giving Today
Beyond regular and systematic giving in proportion to what each possesses, there is a call for special freewill offerings for particular purposes, as seen in the building of the wilderness tabernacle and the Jerusalem temple. The amount expected is measured by the amount entrusted, so that larger capital calls for a more valuable return. These calls are made both to sustain divine service and for the good of the givers themselves.
The willing and cheerful bringing of silver, brass, and shittim wood for the tabernacle shows generous devotion in preparing a place for divine presence, and stands as an example for building places of worship. Offerings for such work should be given with interest, zeal, energy and liberality, willingly, generously and sufficiently to accomplish the work, rather than grudgingly or pared down to the least possible cost. Willingness to give reflects the value placed on sacred things and on presence and heavenly blessing, and blessing received is proportionate to that valuation.
Freely bringing silver and brass and whatever shittim wood was found suitable for the service shows how those who know there is work to be done can sustain it with their means and cooperation without needing to be urged. The materials were given willingly for building and enriching the tabernacle until they became more than abundant and more than could be used. In the same way each person may share in the work and its blessing through freewill offerings for divine work. Such giving together with the work itself is cooperation with God and with one another, and preparing the sanctuary teaches also how to help build the temple of God in the soul.