Exodus 25:1 The LORD said to Moses, “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. And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.
Exodus 35:5 Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’s contribution: gold, silver, and bronze;
Exodus 35:21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.
1 Chronicles 29:9 Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD.
1 Chronicles 29:14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.
1 Chronicles 29:17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Our giving should not be primarily because of need. We should primarily give because our willing heart compels us. God only wanted contributions from those who gave willingly. God is not interested in coerced or manipulated giving. (Guzik)
This offering was to be given willingly, and with the heart. It was not prescribed to them what or how much they must give, but it was left to their generosity, that they might show their good-will. (Benson0
The best use we can make of our worldly wealth, is to honour God with it in works of piety and charity. We should ask, not only, What must we do? but, What may we do for God? Whatever they gave, they must give it cheerfully, not grudgingly. (Henry)
If I choose to spend more than I make on things I want rather than need, I will find at the end of the month there is little to be given to God let alone to those in need. This type of giving is out of what is left rather than upfront and gives a good indication of where the heart and mind are focused. Giving out of what is left shows where God is in a person’s life and what priority they have placed on things of God.
God instructs Moses to tell the people of the need and allow their generosity of heart to guide them in this giving. There was no set limit, ie.. 10%. Give as they were moved to give. I think we have fallen into wrongful thinking when we limit our giving to 10%. When you think about those who are living on very little and they cheerfully choose to give 10% off of the top of what they have and compare this to those who have much more than they need to live, it is obvious who has given more. Do not limit your giving to 10%. Our giving should not be limited to this.
When our hearts and minds are focused on living so that all we think, say, and do is done for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ, things of this world will grow dim and our giving will be as we are led by the Holy Spirit to do so out of cheerfulness, and without limit.