(they) approached and brought their offerings before the Lord, six wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two of the chiefs, and for each one an ox. They brought them before the tabernacle. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting,” (Numbers 7:2-5 ESV)
Gifts
Once when a teacher left my middle school, we were supposed to bring farewell gifts. I had decided that I did not want to give fruit, or a book, or a picture, like everyone else would bring. So instead, I wrapped and brought one of those eyeglass-repair screwdriver sets. I chose that gift because a) he wore glasses, b) I liked MY eyeglass-repair screwdriver set, and c) it is what I had available and ready to give.
It was an odd gift, I admit. But I like to think that while the class snickered, this kindly man understood. A gift is a gift. Love receives gifts and uses them, even if they are odd, or unexpected, or not shiny, or silly on the surface.
God’s Old Testament Law has a long list of offerings to be given for particular purposes. Specific instructions are given for sin offerings, harvest offerings, and dedication offerings. And perhaps those descriptions make us worry that God is a fussy gift receiver.
But He is not.
He sees our gifts, and the heart behind them, and is glad… and He uses those gifts exactly where they are needed. In today’s verses, while many Israelites were giving valuable and shiny gold jewelry and adornments, some folk brought oxen and wagons. Regardless of the obvious value of those gifts, they were not beautiful, artistic, fancy, or religious.
But God used those gifts, too.
And He uses what you are able to give Him, as well. Whether it is five minutes out of your day, a brief conversation with a stranger in pain, an odd job done for a shut-in, a smile at just the right moment, a phone call while taking a break from work, or fifty cents instead of fifty thousand dollars… God knows how to love your gift, because He loves us givers.
And knowing our gifts are useful to Him is a grand thing!
We are peculiar, God appreciates our gifts.