September 30, 2002
Then all the congregation of the Israelites withdrew from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and brought the Lord’s offering to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the sacred vestments. So they came, both men and women; all who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and pendants, all sorts of gold objects, everyone bringing an offering of gold to the Lord. (NRSV)
Exodus 35:20–22

How do you say thank you to God? The question is at the heart of religion and has been from the beginning. Today’s text describes “everyone whose heart was stirred, everyone whose spirit was willing, all who were of a willing heart” bringing an offering. It happens in the middle of the story of the Exodus, the miraculous liberation of the people of God from Egyptian slavery. In this text, the people are thanking God for their freedom and for the covenant Moses had delivered to them on the two tablets of stone. The immediate task is the building of the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary for worship along the way. The details are wonderful. The account actually begins in verse 4. The people bring goats’ hair, tanned rams’ skin, oil and incense, fine purple yarn, construction materials, and jewelry. It was quite an offering.

How do you say thank you to God? From the beginning of time, people have answered that question by offering to God from their own goods. In fact, that act of offering, that willingness of heart and spirit, that generosity is what makes us human. I think about that every Sunday at the beginning of worship when we stand and sing: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

And at the end, when our offerings are presented to God, and we sing: “For the life that you have given, for the love in Christ made known, with these fruits of time and labor, with these gifts that are your own: here we offer, Lord, our praises; heart and mind and strength we bring. Give us grace to love and serve you, living what we pray and sing.”

Dear God, thank you for all the blessings of my life: for the gift of this day, for work to do and people to love. And thank you for opportunities to express my gratitude in acts of generosity. Give me a willing and generous spirit so that my whole life will become a thank offering to you; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Written by John M. Buchanan, Pastor