"No more gifts. Seriously."

Today: Exodus 36-38

"We're no longer accepting gifts today," he says with a sparkle in his eyes. "We have everything we need and more!"

Normally, he would tirelessly ring a bell in front of your local Target or Safeway. His red bucket would chime periodically with the sounds of change. But this year, he's stopped ringing the bell. The bucket is nowhere in sight. Why? The Salvation Army has received more money than it needs or even knows how to spend.

"There aren't any more families in need. There's no more human trafficking in the world. Drug and rehab centers are fully funded and functioning for participants. And through your contributions, we've even made it possible for every child in public schools to learn how to play a musical instrument. No more gifts. Seriously."

I REALLY wish this story were true. How incredible would that be?!?

Sadly, many non-profits continue to see need for their services increase, while contributions decrease. I realize that many of us have been hit by the effects of the economy. Or maybe we've got school loans, mortgages, bills, insurance, rent, cars, etc. to pay. We all have excuses. But if you're reading this post on a computer somewhere, my guess is that you are far wealthier than you think (first, you're reading and secondly, you're near a computer and electricity). You're probably very rich compared to 80% of people in the world who live on less than $10 a day.

What could happen if you and I chose to be more generous? How could our churches change? How about our communities? What would happen on this planet?

I realize my questions may seem a bit "pie in the sky." But an equivalent to the Salvation Army scenario I described above actually happened (at least once). In today's passage, we read about the generosity of God's people toward His house:

All the artisans who were at work making everything

involved in constructing the Sanctuary came,

one after another, to Moses, saying,

"The people are bringing more than enough

for doing this work that

God has commanded

us to do!"
So Moses sent out orders through the camp:

"Men! Women! No more offerings for the building of the Sanctuary!"
The people were ordered to stop bringing offerings!

There was plenty of material for all the work to be done.

Enough and more than enough.

Can you imagine? What would it be like if you heard a pastor say, "Today, we're not taking up any offerings. This church has everything it needs. Our city is filled with people who know God. Everyone in the world has heard about God and His love--and they've seen it in action through their healthy and vibrant communities."?

I would LOVE to see that scenario happen some time. Wow! What a statement of love that kind of giving would be. Many of us would be thrilled to see the sick healed, to see children in poverty grow into healthy, educated adults who know that God loves them. It would be a miracle. But frankly, miracles often require us to take practical steps--in these cases, we might have to first give generously. I believe it's possible (especially if God's involved!). It happened before, why not make it happen again?

Tomorrow: Exodus 39-40