The call and the answer and the freedom to give...
When God was leading Israel to build the sanctuary that would hold the Ark of the Covenant, the Lord told Moses to "speak to the people" and give them an opportunity to give. What strikes me about the request is not that God calls His people to be givers; there are all sorts of commands to give in the Scriptures, all sorts of reasons to give, all sorts of reasons to give, but all involve being a steward and personal worshiper.
What strikes me in this case is the freedom in giving AND the freedom in asking.
"Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me." (Exodus 25:2 ESV)
Moses was commanded to speak to all the people. He was to inform all the people of God about the opportunity to give, but Moses could not know whose heart was moved and whose heart was not moved to give. Moses could be free to ask, and the people could be free to give. The asker and the giver are both free to simply respond to God.
Surely, some people's hearts are led to give, but they don't obey that call. It's not for the asker to wrestle with someone else's heart; it's for the asked to wrestle with God until they are free and ready to respond to Him who is doing the provoking. (That may be a LIFETIME of wrestling for some givers!)
The person who has a cause of the Lord that is to be supported by the people of the Lord, just ask. Ask God. Ask His people. IF God wants it supplied, HE will move hearts.
Asker, don't try to manipulate; just ask and trust the Lord. Walk by faith!
Giver, simply respond to God! If He is not leading you to give, it's okay. Walk by faith!
Whether asking or giving or both, walk by faith! Whether asking or giving or both, respond to God!
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