Psalm 127 Exodus 35:20-36:7 Galatians 5:16-26

A Time to Build

This past Tuesday, at 10:30 PM, the 117 year old stone steeple of Christ
Memorial, Reformed Episcopal Church collapsed in a cloud of dust.
Thankfully, only one minor injury was sustained. But to me the most tragic
thing of all is the fact that this steeple already had a visible crack, that
there was a committee discussing the real possibility of a collapse, but
that the issue of payment seems to have stalled repair work. The report of
the deputy commissioner of the Department of Licenses and Inspections says
it all, ".rain exacerbated conditions at an old and deteriorating building".

How awful to think that this collapse may have been avoided had the
necessary finances been available.

In the light of this recent tragedy , our Old Testament reading for this
evening is timely. The call for the giving of the material necessary for the
construction for the Tabernacle in the wilderness is basically a review of
what had already been listed in chapter 25:3-7, but this time the emphasis
seemed to be firmly laid on the fact that this offering was to be from the
people's own possessions and that it was to be completely voluntary (cf.
verse 4-9). In other words, this giving was over and beyond the regular
tithe commanded in God's Law.

These gifts were also to be given with "a willing heart" as only the right
motive is ever acceptable to the God to Whom all hearts are open, all
desires known and from Whom no secrets are hid. The story of Ananias and
Sapphira in Acts 5 serves as warning to those who would presume to give for
the wrong reasons. The money they received from the sale of their property
was theirs to do with as they pleased. No one had demanded that they give
their money to the Church and yet, they chose to lie about it, saying that
they were giving all when, in fact, they kept back some for themselves. Who
knows what their motives were.perhaps a pat on the back.but the lie rendered
their blessing void and instead they brought the wrath of God upon
themselves.

Only those whose heart is stirred and whose spirit is willing should bring
an offering to the Lord. The tithe is the only mandatory giving referred to
in the Scriptures. The rest is what is termed "freewill offerings" and in
this case, give with a willing heart.give with a cheerful heart.or don't
give at all.

Another interesting point in our Old Testament lesson is the fact that,
although all could bring offerings, some were specially gifted with
God-given skills, abilities and desires to do the work (cf. v. 10). There is
always to be a partnership as far as our work for the Lord is concerned.
Human genius and dexterity must be coupled with Divine direction and gifting
if the result is to be pleasing to God. As the Psalmist says so well,
"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it." Man's
willing and proper giving of himself and his possessions is more than met
with God's willingness to bless and prosper their efforts.

Indeed, the command to build the tabernacle and the call for freewill
offerings is set within the demand for holy living. The erection of the
Tabernacle was in response to God's revelation of Himself as their King.a
King Who was to be served and worshipped according to His Own prescribed
manner. Thus the edifice was not only a place of meeting, but also a
reminder of who they were and who they ought to be. There is no point in
raising a building to the glory of God if its occupants do not contribute to
that glory by living lives in accord with God's holy character revealed in
His holy law.

As St. Paul says so clearly in our New Testament lesson for this evening,
the flesh and the Spirit are contrary to one another and therefore if we
live by the Spirit, we should walk in the Spirit. Practically speaking that
rules out conceit, undue provocation, envy, any form of uncleanness,
jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissention and heresy
amongst other things. Those who assemble together within a building erected
to the glory of God should reflect the fruit of the Spirit Himself; love,
joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control. Otherwise, regardless of the beauty or size of the building,
the whole edifice will be a mockery of everything we claim to stand for.

The third interesting point in our Old Testament passage is the fact that
the giving was not spasmodic, but rather constant and in superabundance. The
grateful people of God had to be restrained from giving anymore as the
craftsmen reported: "The people bring much more than enough for the service
of the work which the Lord commanded us to do." So, not only did they give
willingly, but they gave.and they gave.and they gave.until they were told to
stop!

Isn't that wonderful problem to have? Moses recorded that not only did they
have sufficient material to complete the building of the Tabernacle, they
had too much! The fulfilment of God's instructions for His people to build
was not accomplished merely out of a sense of duty. There was rather an
ecstatic spirit of exuberance that made sacrificial giving an absolute joy.

The voluntary nature of these offerings is stressed repeatedly throughout
the passage as is the voluntary involvement of those skilled with the
particular building skills needed. Any idea of reluctance was ruled out from
the start. Surely this kind of response serves as an example to us all! For
our gracious God and our merciful Master, we should only and always give our
very best without any consideration as to what may be thought of as enough.

That many Christians today would think this to be an unrealistic ideal for a
naïve priest such as myself is a sad commentary on us. Perhaps we have
forgotten where He found us and where He has taken us.or perhaps we have
forgotten that with God, nothing is impossible.or as someone once said, "You
can never out give God."

Be that as it may, I thought it rather providential that this specific
passage should be among the lessons for this ninth Sunday after Trinity.
Here we stand on the brink of expansion, discussing the various problems
facing us right now, some immediate such as Sunday School space (and after
this morning, seating space!), and others long term such as a future larger
sanctuary. The time to build has come. We cannot delay for fear that our
proverbial steeple may collapse if we do not act soon.

Of course, very few at St. George the Martyr could ever be faulted in the
area of giving, but the closing chapters of the Book of Exodus show us what
can be done if we all pitch in together to give above and beyond what is
otherwise required of us. What a testimony it would be to have the building
committee inform the vestry that the congregation must be restrained in its
freewill giving as they have more than enough to complete the task at hand!
What a testimony it would be if we could do so willingly and cheerfully, out
of a sense of gratitude and love, in the spirit of holiness and in the
constant cultivation of the fruit of the Spirit!

Brethren, covenant with me this evening to pray unceasingly for God to stir
up our hearts so that we, in partnership with His Divine enabling, might
build to His glory, trusting Him to do for us what He did for Israel in the
wilderness.

© Johann W. Vanderbijl III 2004