Just the word brings us to attention. Money is said to be “the root of all evil”. This saying is actually a misquotation from the Bible (Timothy 6:10): “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” So it is the LOVE of money that is the culprit. Ah-ha.

We don’t generally like to talk about money, whether we have it or not. We will talk of everything else but when it comes to how much money we have…the room suddenly gets very quiet. We keep this information “close to our vest” so to speak. I suppose we are afraid someone will take it from us. IT has become a very important part of our lives.

I think of the story of the preacher who told the people of his congregation, that he had good news and bad news…”The good news is we have enough money to retire the mortgage on the church.” A sigh of relief went through the congregation. The preacher continued: “the bad news is: the money is still in your pocket.” 

As we read Exodus, God tells Moses what he expects of the people so that His new Tabernacle is taken care of properly. Each person, twenty years old and older, must pay a percentage of his silver. “His payment to the LORD will be one-fifth of an ounce of silver…When this offering is given to the LORD to make atonement for yourselves, the rich must not give more, and the poor must not give less. Use this money for the care of the Tabernacle. It will bring you, the Israelites, to the LORD’s attention, and it will make atonement for your lives.” Exodus 30, NLT

God’s plan thinks of everyone. Rich and poor. Everyone can give something when it is based on percentage of what you have. Giving is a blessing of God that He has allowed to all of us. We all can give from what He has given to us. I like that. No one is exempt from the blessing of giving. Sometimes the “poor” among us know this better than the “richest”. 

Dear Heavenly Father, You taught us to give…not because You need it but because of allowing us the privilege to give back. You gave us Your Only Son. Make me a better “giver”. Thank you, LORD. Your plan is always perfect. In Jesus Name, Amen