Where does my gift go when I give it?

February 26, 2008

When we give our gifts to God in the terms of our finances, we do not really have any say in where they should go afterwards. Here in the United States, the law says that the funds collected on a special project, say a building fund or helping a missionary, should go to that and nothing else. That is good and it creates accountability of people not using the money any way they want to. That is not God's way.

Numbers 7:1-9 ACV
(1) And it came to pass on the day that Moses had made an end of setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it, and all the furniture of it, and the altar and all the vessels of it, and had anointed them and sanctifi
(2) that the rulers of Israel, the heads of their fathers' houses, offered. These were the rulers of the tribes. These are those who were over those who were numbered.
(3) And they brought their oblation before LORD: six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for every two of the rulers, and for each one an ox. And they presented them before the tabernacle.
(4) And LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
(5) Take it from them, that they may be [used] in doing the service of the tent of meeting. And thou shall give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service.
(6) And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites.
(7) Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service.
(8) And he gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
(9) But he gave none to the sons of Kohath, because the service of the sanctuary belonged to them. They bore it upon their shoulders.


Now was it fair that the sons of Korath got no wagons? Was it fair that Merari's group got 4 carts while Gershon's got 2?

Moses was the man in charge and he decided where they should go. The people might have wanted something different, but Moses knew who needed what. We know that Moses spoke directly to God so we can assume that God looked on and approved.

When we give into someones ministry, we too must trust them to hear from God as to where it should go. While I may think that having an airplane is an extravagance, it could be what God told them to do so they can move around quickly to minister. It is between God and them. I am to give as God directs me to.

Read through the Bible in one year in Historical order
Today
Numbers 7:1-89
Tomorrow
Numbers 8:1-10:36

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