RICHES OF GENEROSITY BRING JOY

'Their Spirit Incited Them'

The apostle Paul may have had in mind an earlier example of generous giving, one that took place in the wilderness more than 15 centuries before his time.  The 12 tribes of Israel had been freed from slavery in Egypt.  They were now at the foot of Mount Sinai, and Jehovah commanded them to build a tabernacle for worship and equip it with implements  worship.  This would take many resources, and the nation was invited to contribute.

How did those Israelites respond?  they came, everyone whose heart impelled him, and they brought, everyone whose spirit incited him,  Jehovah's contribution for the work of the tent of meeting."  (Exodus 35:21) Did the nation make a generous offering?  Very much so!  The following report was given to Moses:  "The people  are bringing much more than what the service needs for the work that Jehovah has commanded to be done." -Exodus 36:5.

What was the financial condition of the Israelites back then?  Not long before, they a had been miserable slaves, 'oppressed in burden-bearing,' leading a 'bitter life,' a life of "affliction."  (Exodus  1:11, 14,  3:7, 5:10-18)  It is unlikely, then, that they were materially prosperous.  True, the Israelites left the land of their slavery with flocks and herds.  (Exodus 12:32) But those may not have amounted to much, since soon after leaving Egypt, they complained  that they had neither meat nor bread to eat. -Exodus 16:3.

Where, then, did the Israelites get the valuables that they contributed to the building of the tabernacle?  From their former masters, the Egyptians.  The Bible says:  "The sons of Israel . . .went asking from the Egyptians  articles of silver and articles of gold and mantles . . .[The Egyptians] granted them what was asked."  These generous acts on the part of the Egyptians were a blessing from Jehovah, not from Pharaoh.  The divine record says:  "Jehovah gave the pe0ple favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, so that these granted them what was asked." -Exodus 12:35, 35.

Imagine, then, how the Israelites felt.  Generations had suffered through bitter slavery and deprivation.  Now they were free and had rich material possessions.  How would they feel about parting with some of those possessions?  They might have felt that they had earned them and had a right to keep them.  However, when called upon to contribute financially to support pure worship, they did so - and not reluctantly or stingily!   They did not forget that Jehovah made it possible for them to have those material things.  Thus,  they gave abundantly  of their silver and gold and livestock.  They were  "willing hearted."  Their hearts impelled them.'  Their spirit incited them.'  it truly was "a voluntary offering to Jehovah." -Exodus 25:1-9; 35:4-9, 20-29; 36:3-7.

Next time: A Readiness to Give

Watchtower, 2000