Living in reality. Seeking real life.
Today’s application is drawn from Exodus 36-38.
“And they spoke to Moses, saying, ’The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the Lord commanded us to do.’ So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, ‘Let neither man nor women do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.’ And the people were restrained from bringing” – Exodus 36:5-6
Many church building projects run into problems, especially when it comes to paying for the big dreams born from all that vision-casting going on these days. The first church building project was no different. And yet it was. Because instead of not having enough, TOO MUCH was being given. Moses had to force people to stop giving. Now that’s a great problem to have!
Pardon me for asking what might come across as an overly simple question, but… why don’t we have that problem?
About 2000 years ago there was a strange storm in Jerusalem on an eventful Friday evening that unexplainably caused the veil in the temple to be torn into two pieces. This veil separated the more common parts of the temple from the Holy of Holies—the place where the high priest had a direct connection with God. In other words, the veil was a barrier between God and man; placed there by God because mankind was sinful. As a matter of pure coincidence, the veil happened to be torn on the exact day that Jesus died on the cross.
A few days latter the priests had a chance to survey the damage. There was no question as to if the veil would be repaired, only how quickly the funds could be raised to do so. After all, God Himself had commanded that the veil be installed. Repairing the veil was seen by all as a great opportunity to serve God.
The priests brought in some pricey (but worth it) M.B.A.s from Rome who determined that the size of the congregation in Jerusalem would support a sizable capitol building campaign. In fact, they would not only have enough to repair the veil, but also could afford to add on a state-of-the-art children’s wing. The priests excitedly presented the findings to the congregation during the next service and the plan was immediately voted on and approved. I mean, they hadn’t updated the temple in, like, 500 years so it was definitely due for a little reno. You should have seen the tile in the bathrooms! So 30 B.C.
But there was a problem. Unlike Moses’ church building project, this one was not pulling in nearly enough dough. The priests decided to bring in another consulting firm from Cairo who were experts in increasing tithing. These Egyptians recommended a focus-group-tested 6-week sermon series which would have the congregation giving like a well oiled machine in no time. But it didn’t quite work out that way. In fact, a bunch of regulars started attending a different synagog because they were tired of priests going through their pockets for loose change every time they came to church.
The priests tried one thing after another, from car washes to bake sales, and though it took a long time they eventually got what they needed to complete the project. Yey! Everyone remarked at how great God was and how He always provides in the end when you remain faithful. Sure, synagog attendance had dropped a little, but the experts told them that was normal too. Everyone was happy; so happy in fact that they hired another consulting firm to create a 20-year vision-cast plan which included sixteen more building phases; each small enough to be “easy to swallow”. A church shouldn’t overextend itself after-all. That would be irresponsible.
***
Both Moses and the veil repairing priests were trying to do good things. But Moses had so much given he had to turn people away while the priests struggled to bring in enough. What’s the difference?
It comes down to this: What God wants, He provides.
If we don’t have enough volunteers for the coffee ministry, then maybe God doesn’t want a coffee ministry. If we don’t have enough chairs for the sanctuary then maybe God wants us to sit on the floor. If we don’t have enough money for a children’s pastor then maybe we should hire a stewardship pastor… ah hem…, I mean maybe we should just use volunteers—even if they’re not perfect.
“But people will leave if we don’t have great coffee, comfy chairs, and a band that opens for Coldplay.”
“But people need to be taught about giving.”
“But we’re supposed to strategize and plan. It’s a good thing to have goals for giving and dream about projects that will bless the community.”
Great. Brew fresh-roasted shade grown coffee. Hire a killer band with a guy who plays a lead guitar shaped like an ax. Teach the people about giving. Plan for the future.
But just make sure you’re not trying to install a new veil.
God tore the veil in half when Jesus died on the cross to symbolize our new connection to God. Because our sins were paid for there was no longer any need for a barrier between us and God. God used to want a veil, but He didn’t anymore. We can’t assume because God wanted something in the past that He still wants it. We can’t assume that because God wants something for the church across the street that he wants it for our church. We can’t assume that because we have an idea that would really bless a ton of people that God wants to do it. But, we can assume that God will provide for whatever He wants.
Bottom line: If God ain’t providin’ then maybe it shouldn’t be happenin’
Lord, thank you for giving me everything I need to do everything you ask me to do. Help me to never try and force my ideas on you. Help me to pray more and strategize less. I know strategy is a good thing, but help me to use it only after I know what you’ve asked me to do.
Please leave comments with your thoughts on the following questions or feel free to respond to anything else that comes to mind. You can leave comments by clicking the tweet button at the top of this article or you can start typing under “Leave a Reply” below. Whatever you tweet will be added to the discussion of this post.
When are we supposed to plan and strategize and when are we supposed to pray and wait?
Does God make it difficult to know His will?
How do we know what traditions are good to continue and which ones God no longer wants us to keep?
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