[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”Taking the Offering” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Georgia|700|on||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”42px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/h4you.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Girl-opening-box-small.jpg” title_text=”Little girl opening a magical Christmas gift” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
By Terance Clark \u00a0 \u00a0 March 1, 2025 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a05 Minute Read<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”241px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” inline_fonts=”Georgia” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Week 19 \u00a0 This Weeks Passage: Exodus 25:1 – 27:19 \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n A number of years ago while I was a pastor we collected our regular tithes and offerings one Sunday morning and before I prayed I said to the congregation we are about take the offering and then went through the process.\u00a0 After the service I was approached by a visitor who let me know that we should never take the offering, but instead we should always receive the offering.\u00a0 I was just about to give him a Hebrew and Greek lesson on the subject when the Lord told me to just be quiet.\u00a0 I listened to the visitor and kindly nodded while thanking him for pointed out this error on my part.\u00a0 This week we are privileged to read through the passages that begin with God asking for a contribution from the people.\u00a0 Not a requirement, but a gift from those who chose to do it.\u00a0 The Hebrew term is a Terumah and I hope it helps give you a new perspective on giving.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-3px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||2px|||” inline_fonts=”Georgia” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Giving and Taking<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In Exodus 25:2 God commands Moses to tell Israel to take a contribution (Terumah) for me.\u00a0 The root of the word Terumah means to uplift and so the word implies to separate a portion of ones resources for a higher or uplifting purpose.\u00a0 It means that when we give to the Lord we are raising it above the mundane.\u00a0 We are spiritually elevating ourselves like one who climbs ever higher into the presence of God.<\/span><\/p>\n What is interesting is the literal word says to “take a contribution” for God, doesn’t that seem strange, because if you are making a donation shouldn’t you be giving not taking?\u00a0 Why is God not asking them to give a contribution rather than take a contribution?\u00a0 I’m glad you asked, now hold on to something for the answer.\u00a0 When someone contributes to God’s work he is actually receiving more than he is giving.\u00a0 So, even though you are giving from your own personal resources you are receiving a huge spiritual benefit because you are taking from the blessing of God.\u00a0 Are you understanding that a free gift to God is not giving its actually taking!\u00a0 When we look at things from our worldly perspective we see ourselves as givers, but when we see into the spiritual realm we understand that we are getting so much more than we could ever possibly give and that puts us in to a completely different mindset.\u00a0 Let’s go deeper!<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-3px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1px|||” inline_fonts=”Georgia” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The Cheerful Giver<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n When God asked Israel to give he made it voluntary because He knew only those with hearts to see would understand what they were truly doing and nothing has changed today.\u00a0 That is why Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each should give according to what he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.<\/em>”\u00a0 A true giver is not motivated to give because he anticipates some kind of return.\u00a0 A generous person gives to the kingdom because he loves God and wants to do everything he can to further the work of God on the earth.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ inline_fonts=”Georgia” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n “He regards all he has as belonging to the Lord<\/span><\/strong><\/em>“<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”27px|auto|-1px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”2px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-25px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ inline_fonts=”Georgia” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n A true giver does not see their money and resources as something belonging to them, he regards all that he has as belonging to the LORD, so he has no reason to feel regret and\/or pained in anyway when giving it.\u00a0 It is their greatest joy to do it. There is one caveat, this person sees this life and world from a completely different perspective and they know that they really are not giving at all.\u00a0 They understand that every thing they have ever given to God is completely undervalued in comparison to what they are taking from Him.\u00a0 It’s like a $1000 investment into Apple stock when it opened in 1980 would today return to you millions.\u00a0 The true giver always knows that God’s multiplication process is so far higher than anything we could ever count.\u00a0 The next time someone says, let’s receive an offering you can chuckle under your breath because you know in reality you are taking the offering!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Terance Clark \u00a0 \u00a0 March 1, 2025 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a05 Minute Read Week 19 \u00a0 This Weeks Passage: Exodus 25:1 – 27:19 \u00a0\u00a0 A number of years ago while I was a pastor we collected our regular tithes and offerings one Sunday morning and before I prayed I said to the congregation we are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1080","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=971"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":990,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/971\/revisions\/990"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/h4you.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}