Eager or reluctant?
The Law that God gave to His Old Testament people, Israel, contained a great many commandments pertaining to the moral and spiritual lives of each individual. But it is not without significance that, proportionally, far and away the largest two topics covered by the Law are the offerings (picturing the person and work of Christ) and the tabernacle. It is this second topic that we will spend a few moments considering.
The tabernacle was a corporate work, not merely the disjointed efforts of individual Israelites. Secondly, it was to be a dwelling place for the Lord Himself (Ex. 25:8). The application for today is clear. Certainly the New Testament contains a large amount of moral and spiritual teaching for individual believers today. But when we examine the practical teachings of the New Testament, no topic is given more attention than the church. Like the tabernacle, this is a corporate work. Also like the tabernacle, it is a dwelling place for the Lord Himself (1 Cor. 3:16). Given these obvious parallels, we can carefully draw applications from Israel’s work in the construction of the tabernacle that will guide us in the corporate building project that God has for His people today.
In Exodus 35, the Lord specifies what will be required for the building of the tabernacle. Two categories are evident: materials (gold, silver, bronze, material, skins, etc.—vv. 5-9) and skills (vv. 10ff).
Our resources
The Lord has given each of us resources. Some have more physical resources than others, but the amount isn’t relevant. The important question is are we using whatever resources He has given us for Him?
Perhaps the first resource that comes to mind is our money. It’s been said that, when it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing. Christians, of all people, should be generous because we know something of how generous God has been with us. A stingy Christian is an embarrassment. Giving in the local assembly, giving to missions, helping those in need—these habits should be fostered from the earliest ages, not just once a Christian has graduated from university and have a career.
We also have other physical resources. Are our homes open to the saints? Are we given to hospitality? Are we eager to share our possessions with others, or do we carefully hoard them?
But there is a resource more valuable than money: time. How do we use our time? It is a worthwhile exercise to think back over any given week of our lives and calculate how much time we spent serving the Lord and how much time we spent in recreation—even “innocent” recreation. For example, the real evil of television isn’t the moral filth that characterizes much of it. The larger problem is that, even if you are careful what you watch, it’s still consuming your greatest non-renewable resource. But let’s not obsess on television. The form of recreation is irrelevant. There are many people who self-righteously criticize television only to waste countless hours on other pastimes that are equally useless in the light of eternity. It’s amazing how many saints “don’t have time” for meetings or Bible study or service but always have time for their hobbies, reading, sports, home projects, etc.
Our skills
Secondly, the Lord has equipped each of us with skills. Some of those skills are “natural”—talents or abilities that we’ve developed and honed over the years. Do we use those abilities for Him? Many can attest to the refreshment they’ve received from those who provided kind and loving meals or baking, especially in difficult times. Those who are handy with a hammer and wrench can be a great help and encouragement to the saints, both in their home assembly and on the mission field. And who hasn’t been enriched by believers who use their musical talents for the Lord?
God has also given us spiritual abilities in the form of spiritual gifts. “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10). Are we being faithful stewards of those gifts. Are we diligently serving others? Do we have a spiritual burden for those in our assembly?
Our hearts
If we want to be truly useful in the local church, it will require both our resources and our skills. But there is another requirement—one that is listed before the materials and the skills: a willing heart (Ex. 35:5).
In the world, men don’t usually care whether we have a willing heart or not, provided we get the job done. Nobody asks their plumber whether he is eager and joyful about fixing their sink. But even though man looks on the outside, God looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). He’s not interested in reluctant giving or grudging service. He desires that we give like He gives: generously and joyfully.
“Let each one [give] just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Not only our giving is to be voluntary, but also our goodness (Phm. 14) and our service (e.g. 1 Pet. 5:2).
Do we serve willingly? Eagerly? Or do we have to be prodded and cajoled? We need a willing heart—a heart that is taken up with the high honor of serving the Lord Jesus.
Without such a heart, we will face several serious problems. First of all, since God is concerned about our hearts, service that doesn’t come from the heart is defiled service.
Secondly, grudging service is usually more of a hindrance than a help. People who serve under compulsion typically need to be constantly reminded and prodded. Exhorting them ends up taking more time than doing the job oneself. And, because their heart wasn’t in it, the service is often second-rate or incomplete.
Thirdly, it’s a bad testimony—to believers and unbelievers alike. We give the impression that serving the Lord is onerous. But, in fact, “His commandments are not burdensome” (1 Jn. 5:3b). Do we leave others with the idea that the Lord is a hard master? Nothing could be further from the truth! His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mt. 11:30).
Lastly, we’ll find that, without a willing heart, service is unsustainable. We can force ourselves to serve for a little while, but, eventually, we’ll lose heart.
Cultivating a willing heart
Every assembly needs saints who are not only serving, but are eager to serve. Serving the Lord is their passion. They aren’t trying to find the bare minimum that they have to do. They don’t only serve when asked; they look for ways to serve.
If we want to have this attitude in our service, let us keep three truths in mind. First of all, we need to grasp what an unspeakable privilege it is to serve the Lord. Many Christians would be honored to directly serve an earthly ruler, but are bored at the thought of serving the King of kings and Lord of lords. This betrays an utter failure to embrace a biblical and heavenly view of life.
We also need to study the example of the greatest Servant of all. The Lord Jesus didn’t serve reluctantly. Not once did He require prodding. Instead, He could say, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God” (Ps. 40:8), even though that will meant the unspeakable sufferings of Calvary.
Lastly, love will see us through. Men will endure almost anything to win a bride. Parents will make virtually any sacrifice for their children. If we want to have willing hearts, let us cultivate a love for Christ.