Willing hearts, willing hands
All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments. ~ Exodus 35:21
Have you ever felt that stirring inside your heart, that quiet nudge to give, serve, or contribute in a way that feels bigger than yourself? Exodus 35 paints a powerful picture of what happens when God’s people respond to that inner stirring with open hands and willing hearts.
In this chapter, Moses gathered the Israelites and invited each of them to bring offerings and use their skills to build the tabernacle, the place where God’s presence would dwell among them. What stands out is not just what they gave, but how they gave. The people didn’t give out of pressure or obligation; they gave because their hearts were moved by love for God.
I remember a time when God stirred my own heart in a similar way. I was about to get a new vehicle, and instead of trading in the one I currently had or trying to sell it, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to give it to a friend in need. The car had been with me for quite a while, and though it had plenty of miles, it still ran well. After discussing it with my husband, we handed him the keys, his gratitude was overwhelming. He took care of that car as if it were the most precious thing in the world. Seeing his joy and relief was such a blessing that it reminded me that obedience is never just about the act itself, but about what God does through it. In that moment, I realized that God didn’t just use what we gave to meet someone else’s need, He also used it to grow something inside of me. That experience showed me that when you step forward with a willing heart, God multiplies what you offer in ways you could never plan.
This truth still applies today. Whether you’re in ministry, at work, in your home, or in your community, God invites you to use what’s already in your hand. He doesn’t look for perfection, He looks for willingness. Like the Israelites, your gifts, whether big or small, become part of something sacred when they’re offered with love and obedience.
Here are some practical ways you can apply this truth in your life:
- Start by asking God to show you what’s already in your hand. It might be a skill, a resource, or a connection you’ve overlooked.
- Look for opportunities to serve where there is need. Sometimes your greatest impact starts in the simplest acts of obedience.
- Give with joy, not reluctance. Trust that what you offer, when surrendered to God, carries eternal value.
- Partner with others in your community or church. The tabernacle was built through unity, not isolation.
- Pray daily for a willing heart that stays open to God’s leading.
Set aside time today to ask God, “What can I bring?” Write down what He places on your heart, and take one small step toward obedience. Whether it’s giving your time, sharing encouragement, or using a gift you’ve been hesitant to offer, start where you are.
Today I want to encourage you to see your willingness as an act of worship. God isn’t asking you for what you don’t have; He’s asking you to bring what’s already in your hand. Just like the Israelites, your obedience can help create spaces where His presence dwells and lives are changed. When your heart is stirred and your spirit is willing, what you bring becomes holy in His sight.
1 Then Moses called together the whole community of Israel and told them, “These are the instructions the Lord has commanded you to follow.
2 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on that day must be put to death.
3 You must not even light a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath.”
Offerings for the Tabernacle
4 Then Moses said to the whole community of Israel, “This is what the Lord has commanded:
5 Take a sacred offering for the Lord. Let those with generous hearts present the following gifts to the Lord:
gold, silver, and bronze;
6 blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth;
7 tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood;
8 olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense;
9 onyx stones, and other gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chest piece.
10 “Come, all of you who are gifted craftsmen. Construct everything that the Lord has commanded:
11 the Tabernacle and its sacred tent, its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases;
12 the Ark and its carrying poles; the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement; the inner curtain to shield the Ark;
13 the table, its carrying poles, and all its utensils; the Bread of the Presence;
14 for light, the lampstand, its accessories, the lamp cups, and the olive oil for lighting;
15 the incense altar and its carrying poles; the anointing oil and fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the Tabernacle;
16 the altar of burnt offering; the bronze grating of the altar and its carrying poles and utensils; the washbasin with its stand;
17 the curtains for the walls of the courtyard; the posts and their bases; the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;
18 the tent pegs of the Tabernacle and courtyard and their ropes;
19 the beautifully stitched garments for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests.”
20 So the whole community of Israel left Moses and returned to their tents.
21 All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments.
22 Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the Lord their offerings of gold—brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the Lord.
23 All those who owned the following items willingly brought them: blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; and tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather.
24 And all who had silver and bronze objects gave them as a sacred offering to the Lord. And those who had acacia wood brought it for use in the project.
25 All the women who were skilled in sewing and spinning prepared blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen cloth.
26 All the women who were willing used their skills to spin the goat hair into yarn.
27 The leaders brought onyx stones and the special gemstones to be set in the ephod and the priest’s chest piece.
28 They also brought spices and olive oil for the light, the anointing oil, and the fragrant incense.
29 So the people of Israel—every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them through Moses—brought their gifts and gave them freely to the Lord.
30 Then Moses told the people of Israel, “The Lord has specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
31 The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.
32 He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze.
33 He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft.
34 And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others.
35 The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers.
Journal:
- What has God placed in your hand that He may be calling you to use for His glory?
- How can you take one step today toward offering it with a willing heart?
The Daily Dose 