Consecrated to the Work

Consecrated to the Work

Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.” (Exodus 36:2-5 NIV)

More Than Enough: The Joy of Consecrated Giving

There's something extraordinary that happens when God's people catch a vision and unite behind it. History tells us of a remarkable moment in ancient Israel when something unprecedented occurred: the people had to be commanded to stop giving. Yes, you read that right. They brought so much for the building of the Tabernacle that the craftsmen had to send word through Moses asking the people to hold back their offerings because they had more than enough.

What would it take for a community to experience that kind of generous outpouring today?

Building More Than Structures

When God instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle, He provided meticulous details—every measurement, every material, every color carefully specified. But buried within those instructions was a purpose statement that reveals the heart behind every sacred space: "Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them." (Exodus 25:8)

This wasn't about creating an impressive structure. It was about creating space for God's presence.

The same principle applies to every church building project, every ministry expansion, and every community of faith. We don't build to showcase our achievements or to create monuments to human ambition. We build to make room for God to dwell among His people. The moment a building project becomes about our pride rather than His glory, it transforms from a sanctuary into an idol.

But here's the beautiful truth: God doesn't just dwell in buildings made with hands. Scripture reminds us that we ourselves are temples of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Every believer is a living sanctuary where God's presence resides. When we gather, we're not just meeting in a building—we're a building, a spiritual house being constructed with living stones.

The Gift of Craftsmanship

God called two men by name to lead the Tabernacle construction: Bezalel and Oholiab. These weren't just skilled laborers; they were artisans filled with God's Spirit, given wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts. God equipped them specifically for the work He called them to do.

Every congregation contains an amazing mixture of gifts and talents. Some are builders and planners. Others are teachers and encouragers. Some excel at hospitality, while others shine in administration. Some are gifted in music, others in mercy. This diversity isn't accidental—it's intentional design.

God works through His people. He could build His church any way He chooses, but He invites us to participate in the work. He calls us to bring our best craftsmanship to everything we build—not just physical structures, but the quality of our discipleship, the depth of our ministries, the strength of our community, and the authenticity of our witness.

The Offering That Kept Coming

What made the Tabernacle construction so remarkable wasn't just the skill of the craftsmen—it was the heart of the people. Morning after morning, they brought freewill offerings. They brought gold and silver, bronze and fine linen, precious stones and acacia wood. They brought so much that the craftsmen finally approached Moses with an unusual problem: "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done."

Think about that. These weren't wealthy aristocrats writing checks from their abundance. These were former slaves who had left Egypt with whatever they could carry. Yet they gave with such enthusiasm and generosity that they had to be restrained.

What motivated such extravagant giving? They understood the purpose. They had experienced God's presence leading them through the wilderness as a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Now they were building a place where His presence would dwell in their midst permanently. How could they hold back?

This is the power of vision. When people understand the "why" behind the "what," when they grasp that their giving is making space for God's presence and advancing His kingdom, generosity flows naturally.

The Principle of More Than Enough

A simple church filled with faithful tithers will consistently have more than enough resources to fulfill its calling. This isn't about legalism or obligation—it's about trust and partnership with God. When we honor Him with our firstfruits, when we give not from our leftovers but from our best, God provides abundantly.

But here's where it gets even more interesting. Beyond regular, faithful giving, there are seasons when God calls His people to give extravagantly—above and beyond normal generosity. These are moments when a specific vision requires a specific response, when God invites us to stretch our faith and demonstrate our commitment.

The Israelites experienced this with the Tabernacle. They gave their regular offerings, yes, but they also brought special contributions for this unique project. The result? More than enough. Not just barely enough, not just exactly enough, but more than enough.

Consecration: The Heart of the Matter

Ultimately, building projects aren't primarily about buildings. They're about consecration—the act of dedicating ourselves wholly to God's purposes.

True consecration touches every area of life. It means offering our time, allowing each moment to flow in ceaseless praise. It means offering our hands to move at the impulse of God's love. It means offering our feet to be swift and beautiful in carrying His gospel. It means offering our voices to sing for our King, our lips to be filled with His messages.

Consecration extends to our resources—our silver and gold, holding nothing back. It includes our intellect, using every mental power as God directs. It encompasses our will, surrendering our plans for His purposes. It captures our heart, making it His royal throne. It involves our love, pouring out its treasure at His feet.

Complete consecration means taking ourselves—our whole selves—and declaring: "I will be ever, only, all for Thee."

The Generations After Us

When we build with excellence, when we give generously, when we consecrate ourselves fully, we're not just serving our own generation. We're creating a legacy for those who come after us. We're building spaces where future believers will encounter God's presence. We're establishing patterns of faithfulness that will inspire others. We're demonstrating what it looks like when God's people unite behind His vision.

The question isn't whether God has enough resources to accomplish His purposes. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. The question is whether we'll trust Him enough to participate joyfully in what He's doing.

May we be people who give ourselves so freely, so completely, so enthusiastically to God's work that we too experience the blessing of "more than enough"—not because we're wealthy, but because we're consecrated.