(All Bible verses in this article are from the NIV)

The story of the building of the sanctuary in Exodus is rich with meaning and continues to speak to us today. We remember God’s remarkable command to Moses: “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).

What a beautiful promise—that God would desire to dwell with His people. But this dwelling place would come with a cost. God instructed Moses: “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give” (Exodus 25:2).

This part of the story is worth pausing over. The generosity of the people would make possible a dwelling place for God. Yet before God ever asked them to give, He had already provided what they would need for the offering: “The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians”(Exodus 12:35–36).

God supplied abundantly, and the people responded abundantly. Their giving was simply returning to God what He had first placed in their hands. This becomes even clearer as the sanctuary construction begins:

“Then Moses summoned Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person whom the LORD had gifted—everyone whose heart stirred him to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the contributions the Israelites had brought… Meanwhile, the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning, until the craftsmen came to Moses and said, ‘The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded.’ So Moses issued a proclamation: ‘No man or woman should make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ And the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to perform all the work” (Exodus 36:2–7).

Their astonishing generosity overflowed—because God had already overflowed in His provision.

How This Speaks to Us Today

God still desires a dwelling place with His people. Not the physical sanctuary of Israel in the wilderness, but the church today: His people and the mission He calls us to.

And just as in the days of Moses, the building of God’s dwelling place comes with a cost. The mission of the church today requires the same kind of generosity that fueled the sanctuary in the wilderness—a generosity rooted in God’s own provision, stirred by willing hearts, and directed toward building a place where His presence is known. These same principles shape how God calls us to give today:

A. God provides so we can give generously.

“Everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You” (1 Chronicles 29:14).  “He who supplies seed to the sower. . .  will supply and multiply your store of seed. . . . You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Corinthians 9:10–11).

B. God desires voluntary, heart‑moved generosity.

“Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

C. Generous giving builds God’s sanctuary—His people.

“Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

As we look at God’s church in Montana and the mission He has called us to, these truths become deeply important. We are living in a time when, more than ever, God’s church—the place of His presence—is needed. The light of His presence must shine in the darkness that surrounds us. And unlike the wilderness sanctuary, the church of today is still being built. The work is not yet finished, and there remains a need for the gifts of God’s people to carry it forward.

The heart‑moved, joyful, and willing generosity that marked Israel’s response is the same generosity needed today. The God who so generously pours His goodness and provision into our lives is calling us to join Him in completing His sanctuary: His church, His mission, His dwelling among His people.

May our hearts be stirred as theirs were, and may our giving reflect the God who has given so abundantly to us.