OUR DAILY BREAD : FREE TOMATOES

[cimi]

April 1
Tuesday

FREE TOMATOES

READ:
Exodus 35:20-29
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Everyone whose
spirit was willing...
brought the LORD's
offering for the work
of the tabernacle.
__Exodus 35:21
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Packing groceries into the trunk of my car, I glanced at the vehicle next to me. Through the back window, I could see baskets full of bright red tomatoes__shiny, plump, and better looking than any I had seen in the store. When the car's owner appeared seconds later, I said, "What great looking tomatoes!" She replied, "I had a good crop this year. Would you like some?" Surprised by her willingness to share, I gladly accepted. She gave me several free tomatoes to take home__they tasted as good as they looked!

We see an even greater spirit of generosity in the Israelites when they gave to build the tabernacle of the Lord. When asked to provide materials for the sanctuary, "everyone whose spirit was willing...brought the LORD's offering for the work of the tabernacle" (Ex. 35:21). The Israelites eagerly donated their gold jewelery, colored thread, fine linen, silver, bronze, gemstones, and spices. Some also gave their time and talents (vv.25-26).

If we follow the Israelites' example and willingly donate our resources, we please and honor God with our attitude and offerings. The Lord, who sees and knows our thoughts and hearts, loves cheerful givers. He Himself is the best example of generosity (John 3:16). __Jennifer Benson Schuldt

````````````````````````Dear Jesus, You gave everything You had````````````````````````
``````````````````````````for my sake. Help me to give with``````````````````````````
````````````````````````````a willing heart so that my gifts```````````````````````````
``````````````````````````````````will truly honor You.```````````````````````````````
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The state of our heart is more important than
the size of our gift.

*************************************Today's Bible Reading __ Exodus 35:20-29********************************

20 And all the congregation
of the children of Israel
departed from the presence
of Moses. 21 Then everyone
came whose heart was
stirred, and everyone whose
spirit was willing, and they
brought the LORD's offering
for tehe work of the tabernacle
of meeting, for all its service,
and for the holy garments.

22 They came, both men and
women, as many as had a
willing heart, and brought
earrings and nose rings, rings
and necklaces, all jewelry of
gold, that is, every man who
made an offering of gold to
the LORD. 23 And every man,
with whom was found blue,
purple, and scarlet thread,
fine linen, and goats' hair,
red skins of rams, and badger
skins, brought them.

24 Everyone who offered an
offering of silver or bronze
brought the LORD's offering.
And everyone with whom
was found acaia wood for
any work of the service,
brought it. 25 All the women
who were gifted artisans
spun yarn with their hands,
and brought what they had
spun, of blue, purple, and
scarlet, and fine linen. 26 And
all the women whose hearts
stirred with wisdom spun
yarn of goats' hair. 27 The
rulers brought onyx stones
...28 and spices and oil for
the light, for the anointing
oil, and for the sweet
incense. 29 The children of
Israel brought a freewill
offering to the LORD, all the
men and women whose
hearts were willing to bring
material for all kinds of work
which the LORD, by the hand
of Moses, had commanded to
be done.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The tabernacle became Israel's mobile place of worship during their
journey from Egypt to the land of promise. Until it was replaced by
Solomon's temple in Jerusalem, the tabernacle served not only as a
house of worship, but also as the center of Israel's national life.