“And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:33–34, ESV)

In the last blog, I wrote about the Children of Israel leaving Egypt with a great amount of treasure. I also shared that I needed to ponder this story. Well, I have to say, my contemplation over the last few days has made a big impact on the way I think about the gifts God has given me. I will just share three of the most important lessons that I have learned.

The first thing I learned was that God gives us gifts so we can give back to Him. It is like a kid at Christmas who gets money from his mom to buy her a gift. Even though it didn’t really cost the kid anything, the mom is thrilled and probably will never forget the gift. It didn’t cost the Israelites anything really, but as they gave, it pleased the Lord and made a difference for millions of people.

So if I give back what I did not earn and what isn’t even worth anything to me if I hoard it, I can please God and make an eternal impact. That seems like a no-brainer. God gave me a gift to give back to Him. I need to “just do it.”

Next, I realized that the generous gifts of the Israelites made way for the glory of God to appear in their midst. In obedience they gave their treasure, talents, and time to God. When they finished, the glory of God filled the tabernacle. What a blessed day that must have been.

One of my favorite thoughts is from the Westminster Catechism. It answers the question, “What is the chief end of man?” And this is the beautiful thought, “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” I must give my treasure, talents, and time to God. As I do this, His glory will shine brightly in the temple He now indwells, ME! (1 Cor 3:16)

Finally, the Israelites were given riches and treasure so they would have them for the building of the tabernacle, a testament to the True and Living God. Their gold and silver would have just been sentimental keepsakes that had no historical significance if they had hoarded them. They would have had no real benefits for the people in the long run. Also, they would not have been participants in bringing the glory of God to the world.

This last thought was the hardest for me to consider. I should concentrate on building a testament to the True and Living God, am I? What gifts am I hoarding? Do I have treasures that are actually worthless because I don’t give them to God? Am I using my talents so the glory of God can shine in this dark world? I had to be honest with myself. I am not always faithful.

God has blessed me beyond measure, and not because I deserve it. He has poured out gifts, talents and time, and I often squander them. Even worse, I sometimes try to save them just for me and then have nowhere to spend them, and they become worthless. Jesus words from Matthew make a lot more sense to me after deliberating the Israelites situation. “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25, ESV)

Lord, let me give back what you have so generously given to me, and then let your glory and splendor shine for all the world to see! “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11, ESV)