Christ Our Tabernacle

Verse of the day: Exodus 25:1-2 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.

It still amazes me when I read these first couple of verses that, in spite of the fact that the LORD knew that the Israelites were a stiff-necked people, He still desired to dwell amongst them. The idea of God dwelling with them was not Moses’ idea, or something requested by the Israelites; as we saw that they very much feared hearing from God directly, to the extent that they asked Moses to mediate (Exodus 20:18-19). God’s presence with His people came from God, not man. No one, including Moses, had done anything worthy of having God dwell in their midst. Yet, God is about to have them build the Tabernacle that He will use to be with them, protect them, and guide them. A wonderful picture of God dwelling with us today, in Christ Jesus. Just like the very moment God initiated this project for the purpose of being with His chosen people, Jesus came, dwelt among us, and today dwells in us, and we in Him (when we call upon Him and accept His gift of salvation), not by our doing, but because of His kindness, love, mercy, and grace (John 1:14; Titus 3:4-7). The LORD was having them construct a Tabernacle that would be a shadow, a type, a picture, of the coming Messiah, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This Tabernacle was easily set up, and broken down, so that it could be taken with wherever God led them. Praise be to God, that in Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling our bodies, His temple, to go with us wherever He leads us (1 Corinthians 3:16). Christ, our Tabernacle, not built by men, but by God Himself (Hebrews 8:2), is our dwelling place, as He also dwells in us, and is with us always (John 14:20; 15:4; Hebrews 13:5-6). Although the LORD could have built the Tabernacle without the offerings of the Israelites, He takes a step to test their faith, and their willingness to give to the LORD what was His to begin with. The offering of materials that God told Moses to request of His people were the very riches that they gained in Egypt when God gave them favor with the Egyptians (Exodus 12:36). Note that the only condition the LORD gave them in giving their offering was that it be given willingly with their hearts. One of the greatest tests of our faith is in the area of giving. When we choose to hold on to our earthly goods, rather than give them to the LORD, and trust Him to provide for us, we show what we treasure in our hearts. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” It amazes me today that some Christians still want to argue about whether or not giving of tithes and offerings is to be practiced in the New Testament Church. My question is, “Why would we withhold from God what He has freely given, when He has freely given Himself for our salvation?” “What do we have, or own, that did not come from God?” 1 Corinthians 10:26 clearly tells us that everything contained in the earth belongs to Him. Therefore, why do we withhold from God what belongs to Him in the first place? God does not ask us for anything unreasonable when He moves us to give in our local churches, or when He moves us to give to someone in need. The only true requirement in giving our tithes and offerings today is the same as God required when He told Moses to go to the Israelites; that the offering be given out of a willing heart. The Apostle Paul wrote, in respect to giving, in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” I have seen examples in my years of being a Christian, where large local churches, with members who were well off, financially, struggled every year with the church budget, and meeting their obligations. Some of them even dwindling to nothing and having to close their doors. Yet, I have been a part of, and seen small local churches, with members who were not well off; yet, finish each year with no debt, and extra money in their budget. The difference between the two? The members of the larger churches held on to their earnings and earthly goods, rarely giving to missions or the needs of others, while the smaller churches, with members who did not have much, gave faithfully to missions, and to the needs of others, as God presented them with those needs. God is Debtor to no man, and we will never out-give Him. The Israelites gave of their wealth in order that the Tabernacle could be built and God could dwell in their midst, a plan that originated with their God. Today, when we give, out of gratefulness for God’s goodness toward us, and a salvation that is undeserved, we give to those who are going out to share the Gospel so that others will have the same opportunity we have been given, to dwell in God’s Tabernacle, which is Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).