God is in the details…

I was wondering this morning during my morning Bible Study: Why was God so specific in His instructions to Moses in the Book of Exodus, about worship and the items used during it? I thought about how God was so specific in the details when He had Noah build the Ark in Exodus 25. I thought about how God knew how many people and animals would be traveling on the Ark, and that made sense that God needed to provide the details. I was wondering what the people would have used their resources for if God had not required them for worship.

I wish all of us could hear Jesus speak to the details of our being His Temple, His light, His child of God, and a citizen of His Kingdom.

God is Generous

God has given us a strong mind, talents, and the skill to work and make money. Some believers have more prosperity than others. God only asks for 10% of our earnings from Believers as a Tithe for His Storehouse in the Old Testament. Anything over the 10% is considered a love gift or special offering. The Bible tells us, especially in the New Testament, that God looks at our hearts and wants us to be cheerful givers. God gives us details in Leviticus 27, Numbers 18, Deuteronomy 14, and in the New Testament teachings found in Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42, and 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. In the New Testament, the focus is not on giving the 10% established in the Old Testament, but on giving from the heart that is Christ-filled.

Mankind

I heard a story over a year ago that kept coming to my mind as I tried to continue my Bible Study. I had heard a story about a man who had accused another brother in Christ of spending his money foolishly after buying an expensive electric car. He told his brother in Christ to sell the electric car and give the money to their place of worship. I wondered, why would a brother in Christ think he has the authority to tell another brother how to spend his money? Was he jealous, or was there a big need that was going unmet? I had heard that the man was very unkind and condescending towards his brother, who had purchased the electric car. I wondered why one brother in Christ was being so rude to another, and why it was done so publicly. The person telling me the story was a witness to the public confrontation. The witness was upset and had lost respect for the man after he belittled his brother in Christ for how he had spent his money.

Individual Authority

As I tried to continue my morning Bible study, I realized that God is in the details of our lives as individuals, and we need to pray and pay attention. The Holy Spirit had me consider: What if God wanted the Electric Car Industry to flourish for some reason? Who would He send to buy those expensive cars? I realized that we are not the ones to tell another person how they should spend the money God has put under their authority. How a person spends the money under their authority is between them and God. God provides so we can support whoever or whatever He puts upon our hearts. If we are wealthy, then God has given us much to manage under our authority. If we seek the guidance of Jesus in all areas of our lives, we will spend our money with glad hearts and meet the needs God wants met.

God Taught Me

If we think that someone is spending their money foolishly, we should pray for them. Even in our prayers, we should not condemn them. We should pray for them and treat them lovingly as we would want to be treated. God helped me realize that I was judging how someone without a job was spending their money. I was surprised that, even though I had done or said nothing to hurt or embarrass this person I was praying for, I was still condemning them because of how they spent their money. God taught me that He is not pleased with a superior attitude that condemns others, even privately in prayer. Jesus helped me see that we never know when God is leading or teaching another person how to manage the money and resources that they have authority over. Pray for them to walk in wisdom and to follow Jesus obediently, and for us all to learn how to spend our money wisely. All good things come from God, even when they come through others. We are responsible for our resources, how we pray, and how we treat others.

Proverbs 21:2

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

Prayer

Lord God Almighty, please forgive me for my bad attitude towards myself and others. Thank you for correcting me and showing me where I needed to change my attitude. I know I can count on You to help me change my attitudes that do not please You. Jesus, I need to come closer to You and be cleansed of any bitterness and condemnation in my heart. Praise You for being in the details of our lives and teaching us how to love and pray for others in such a way that is pleasing to You. Thank you for being so patient with all of us. Jesus, I pray in the authority and power of Your Holy Name, knowing that You will move on this prayer and bless all of us according to our needs, as You teach and guide us in the paths of Your righteousness. Jesus, I trust you. Amen.