The Cultivate Challenge – Release

In Exodus 35, the Israelites were asked to bring their gifts to Moses to be used to build the Tabernacle. Because their hearts were touched by the Holy Spirit, they gave. They gave so much that in Exodus 36:6, Moses says, “‘Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.’ So the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.” That type of giving only happens when the heart is touched, stirred, willed, or moved by God.

The heart is not just an emotion, but a conduit for the Kingdom of God. This is expressed through the hands. YAD in Hebrew means hand (1170 times in Scripture) and generosity (1 time through the King in Esther’s story). The hand is the part of the arm that performs the function of the will.

The Hebrew word for generation is the same word used for DOOR. Joel 1:1-3 speaks again of the importance of telling the next generation about the truth of God.

The HEART —-> leads to the HANDS——-> which opens the DOOR to the next generation.

Over all of it, God was so generous that He gave us Jesus (John 3:16). We look like our Father when we live with extravagant generosity!

To discuss today

1. How is your heart?

2. What regrets do you have about the way you have lived?

3. In what ways will you choose to be extravagantly generous? How will that impact your commitment to the Cultivate Challenge?

4. Remember to make your commitment to the Cultivate Challenge by next Sunday, February 21. You can make your commitment online here if you would like.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your generosity in my life. I realize that all I have is from You. Everything from your ultimate gift of eternal life through Jesus down to the very last penny is all Yours. Father, I pray that my heart is cultivated enough to know and discern what You want me to do for the Cultivate Challenge. I pray that Your Spirit will speak to my heart about this and that I will be obedient to respond and commit. Thank you for the privilege of being a part in something eternal. I pray that the generations to come will continue to live for You!