Exodus 36:5, commentary and pictures

The people freely brought willing offerings every morning for building the wilderness tabernacle, until the gifts exceeded what was needed for every part of the commanded work and the workers reported to Moses that much more than enough had been brought. Because what had been brought could not all be used, Moses proclaimed that enough had been received and commanded the people to stop bringing gifts. The means were raised simply by inviting every willing heart to give, with no compulsion and no resort to feasting, amusement, or entertainment to obtain them. This devotion and cheerful liberality was recorded as an example for God's people afterward, teaching that offerings for a house where God meets with His people must be willing, earnest, of the very best, and sufficient to complete the work well without leaving it in debt. Such generous-hearted service was pleasing to God, who signified His acceptance when the completed tabernacle was covered by the cloud and filled with His glory, and He rewards all who freely return to Him what He has given.

Wilderness Tabernacle Offering

The verse belongs to the building of the wilderness tabernacle or sanctuary for the work the Lord commanded to make, according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain. The skill, wisdom, and ability employed in that work came from God to be used for His glory, and its construction demanded exactness, skill, wisdom, and perfection, a standard that applies to every work done in God's service.

Every willing-hearted man and woman whose heart was stirred brought the Lord's offering as free offerings every morning. They brought gold, silver, brass, choice fabrics and spun work, valuable wood, precious stones, spices, oil, and ornamental materials, taking ornaments and jewelry from their persons into the treasury to beautify and enrich it, at a cost of more than a million dollars. This was just after leaving Egypt, when freedom was new and return to slavery was still near, when means were scanty and their own tents were small, yet they did not ask to enlarge their own dwellings first but put God's house first according to the design God gave. They needed no urging, but gave gifts in abundance with cheerful, willing labor, each person anxious to have a part in the house being erected for God.

The willing offerings freely and generously given exceeded what was needed, proving sufficient for every part of the commanded work. The workers examined the gifts and found there was more than enough, and reported to Moses that the people were bringing much more than enough. Because all that had been brought could not be used, Moses proclaimed that enough had been brought and commanded the people to stop bringing gifts and to stop the work of bringing. He simply accepted gifts from every man who gave willingly from his heart, and those free-will offerings came in so great abundance that they had given abundantly, more than could be used.

This generous-hearted, willing service was pleasing to God. He signified His acceptance of it when the completed tabernacle was covered by the cloud and filled with His glory.

Pattern for Willing Generosity

The means for the work were raised by simply inviting the people to bring an offering from every willing heart, with no compulsion and no need for urging. No grand feast was made, no invitation was given to scenes of gaiety, dancing and general amusement, and no lottery or anything of profane order was instituted to obtain them. The free-will offerings came in so great abundance that there was more than could be used, and Moses proclaimed that enough had been brought and they must cease their presents.

The devotion, energy, liberality and cheerfulness shown in bringing the free-will offerings was recorded in sacred history for the benefit of God's people who would live afterward. It stands as an example for all who truly love the worship of God, especially for those living near the close of time. The same free, willing, anxious readiness to give means and hearty cooperation is found now wherever people are assured that a work is to be done and God calls for their help, and they too need no urging. They give freely and generously until there is more than enough for the commanded work, and they may share in the blessing of giving freely to support a school and its missionary work.

Offerings for a house where God may meet with His people must be willing, earnest, and of the very best, not bestowed grudgingly, stingily, or stinted to cost the least. They are to be freely given in amount sufficient to accomplish the work well, so that the workmen can say, Bring no more offerings. A building prepared expressly for divine service is to be arranged with care, made comfortable, neat and convenient, and dedicated to God, and a house built for God must never be left in debt, for He would thereby be dishonored. Even a small offering is wholly acceptable to the Lord, who can make it go a long way.

Those who prize the blessing of God's sacred presence will manifest zeal and liberality in preparing such a house, with interest as much greater than that shown in preparing dwellings for themselves as heavenly blessings are valued above earthly comforts. Those who value sacred privileges by such works will have prosperity and spiritual strength according to their works, blessed in proportion to their estimate of sacred things, while God will not cause His blessing to rest on those who have little appreciation of divine things. God knows every heart and will reward all who freely return to Him what He has given when He requires it, but those who withhold what belongs to God and rob Him will be afflicted in their families and decreased in possessions according to their disposition to rob Him.