No matter how sweet the spices, the heart must be willing. Men, we must show by example to our families that no offering is sweet to God, no matter how expensive or sweet, if it does not come from a willing heart.
Exodus 25:6 speaks of the oil and incense which were to be made with sweet spices: “Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense.” However, we take note in verse 2 that these spices, along with all the other offerings, could only be received by Moses on the behalf of God from those who gave willingly: “Of every man that giveth it WILLINGLY with his heart ye shall take my offering.”
Exodus 35:5:¨”Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of A WILLING HEART, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD . . .” Once again this speaks of the importance of the attitude of a willing heart in giving an offering to the Lord. God does not want to receive anything from any person who gives out of duty, obligation, or forced against their own will.
Exodus 35:21, 22: “And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made WILLING, and they brought the LORD’S offering to the work of the tabernacle . . . And they came, both men and women as many as were WILLING HEARTED.”
Exodus 35:26: “And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats’ hair.”
Exodus 35:29: “The children of Israel brought a WILLING offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them WILLING to bring all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses.”
We must teach our children that while it is appropriate to worship, read the Bible, and pray as an offering to the Lord, God does not accept it unless it is done with a willing heart. Unless we offer to God with a willing heart, we may as well not do it at all.
Psalm 110:3: “Thy people shall be WILLING in the day of thy power.”
2 Corinthians 9::7: “God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell