Whenever I see a passage where the information is repeated several times, I wonder, "Why didn't God just say, 'And everyone else brought the same exact offering?'"
The offerings from the leaders of the twelve tribes were generous. They required effort and preparation beforehand as well as collaboration with one another. They were also humble. Not one of them could boast of bringing more than the others. They were also practical in their provision of carts and oxen for the transportation of the tabernacle.
Sometimes in our modern form of giving, we simply set up an automatic deduction to send our tithe to the church and don't consider these facets of giving. Are we giving generously or checking off a box to do the least possible? Are we more concerned with how our giving compares to others or with being obedient to the Lord? Are we praying and seeking how our gifts might be used in practical ways for the kingdom of God?
There is a purpose for naming each one who brought the offering for their tribe and for recounting exactly what their offering was - even if it was the same. What we give freely to the Lord matters to Him...even if it is the same as someone else brings, and regardless of whether it is gold and silver platters full of incense or grain offerings, or just two mites. There is not one offering we make before the Lord that He doesn't take note of when it is given with a cheerful heart.
The offerings from the leaders of the twelve tribes were generous. They required effort and preparation beforehand as well as collaboration with one another. They were also humble. Not one of them could boast of bringing more than the others. They were also practical in their provision of carts and oxen for the transportation of the tabernacle.
Sometimes in our modern form of giving, we simply set up an automatic deduction to send our tithe to the church and don't consider these facets of giving. Are we giving generously or checking off a box to do the least possible? Are we more concerned with how our giving compares to others or with being obedient to the Lord? Are we praying and seeking how our gifts might be used in practical ways for the kingdom of God?
There is a purpose for naming each one who brought the offering for their tribe and for recounting exactly what their offering was - even if it was the same. What we give freely to the Lord matters to Him...even if it is the same as someone else brings, and regardless of whether it is gold and silver platters full of incense or grain offerings, or just two mites. There is not one offering we make before the Lord that He doesn't take note of when it is given with a cheerful heart.
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