What can we learn from Eliasaph's offering about giving our best to God? Setting the Scene • During the twelve-day dedication of the altar, each tribal leader brought the same costly gift. • Day six belonged to Eliasaph son of Deuel, chief of Gad (Numbers 7:42). • God records every leader’s name and offering separately, underscoring that individual obedience matters even when the gift looks identical. Eliasaph’s Gift: A Closer Look Numbers 7:61 summarizes his portion of the presentation: “and his offering was one silver dish weighing 130 shekels, one silver bowl weighing 70 shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering;” 43-46 add: one gold bowl of incense, a young bull, ram, male lamb, male goat, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs. Key observations: • Weight and metal were set “according to the sanctuary shekel.” God—not the giver—established the standard. • The mix of grain, burnt, sin, and peace offerings shows concern for worship, atonement, and fellowship. • Nothing was withheld: silver, gold, livestock, grain, oil, incense—every area of wealth was touched. Principles for Our Giving 1. God Deserves Measured Excellence – The sanctuary shekel fixed the exact weight (v. 61). Today He still defines what is excellent (Malachi 1:8; Colossians 3:23). – We honor Him by asking, “Is this up to His standard?” not “Is this enough to get by?” 2. Costliness Reveals Value – 130 shekels of silver was roughly three pounds; 70 shekels about 1.7 pounds; the gold bowl almost four ounces. – Proverbs 3:9: “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your harvest.” The first and best communicate worth. 3. Obedience Over Novelty – Every leader gave the same list, yet God still delights in repeating it twelve times. – Faithful adherence to His pattern trumps flashy originality (1 Samuel 15:22). 4. Balanced Worship Matters – Grain = thanksgiving; burnt = total surrender; sin = atonement; peace = fellowship with God and others. – Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies “a living sacrifice,” covering every sphere of life, not just finances. 5. Timeliness Counts – Eliasaph came sixth. Being late neither excused him nor lowered the bar. – Galatians 6:9 encourages perseverance: give enthusiastically even when someone else has already done something similar. 6. Giving Invites God’s Peace – The peace offering closed the list (v. 46). Generosity fosters fellowship with God and unity among His people (2 Corinthians 9:12-15). Putting It into Practice • Evaluate your “weights and measures.” Are your giving habits set by God’s standard or personal convenience? • Include every facet—resources, time, skills—so your offering reflects total devotion. • Imitate Eliasaph’s quiet, consistent obedience regardless of the spotlight. • Trust that God notes every act done in faith (Hebrews 6:10) and receives it with pleasure when offered wholeheartedly. |
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