August 17, 2025
Exodus 35:20–29 & 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
“Open-Handed: Stewarding well what God Gives”
Week 2 – “Don’t Hold Back: What’s in Your Hand?”
Service Overview: Exodus 35 and 2 Corinthians 8 paint a picture of a people offering their time, talents, and treasure to build something holy. As God’s people, we are invited to participate in His work with whatever we have in our hands. Every person has something valuable to contribute, and generosity includes more than just finances, it’s offering ourselves willingly and wholly.
Memory Verse for the Week:
Proverbs 3:9–10 – Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Background & Technical Insights:
- [Here] we see the magnificent picture of generosity: “the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning” (36:3). Moses had to tell them to stop giving after he had received sufficient resources (vv. 6-7). (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 216)
- This was a community effort. Without full participation, the tabernacle never would have been built. God only wanted those who were willing to help, and most of the people were willing. Nearly everyone participated. The Bible says, “All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do” (v. 29). (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 1086)
- Not only did God create the materials that the people brought to Him (Isa. 66:1–2), but He also worked in their hearts so that they were willing to give generously (see 2 Cor. 8:1–5, 12). In fact, the people brought so much that Moses had to tell them to stop (Ex. 36:6–7)! (Wiersbe, Be Delivered, 157)
- The repeated English phrase “[those] who were willing” does not quite do justice to the Hebrew, which regularly adds the word leb, “heart” (and once also ruah, “spirit”; 35:21). “Everyone who is willing” (35:5) is in Hebrew, “everyone eager of heart,” while “all who are skilled” (35:10) is “everyone wise of heart.” The willing or eager heart is mentioned so often (seven times altogether in our passage), and so inclusively (of “all . . . men and women alike”), that we are left in no doubt that the whole community is caught up in this outpouring of heartfelt generosity and diligence. (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 608)
- The Macedonians, despite the fact that they themselves were undergoing severe trial and experiencing extreme poverty, expressed their joy in rich generosity. They not only gave as much as they were able, but even beyond their ability, and that not merely because of the urgency of the appeal, but they gave themselves first to the Lord. (D. A. Carson, New Bible Commentary, 1199)
What is Biblical Stewardship?
The grateful and faithful management of all God entrusts to us—for His glory, the good of others, and the advancement of His kingdom.
(Deut. 10:14; 1 Chr. 29:11; Ps. 24:1; Hag. 2:8; Mat. 25:14-30; 1 Cor. 4:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-11)
What do Exodus 35 and 2 Corinthians 8 have to teach about a life of generosity?
- True generosity begins with a grace–shaped heart.
(Ex. 35:21; 2 Cor. 8:1-2; cf. Prov. 4:23; 11:24-25; Mat. 6:21; Acts 4:32-33; Rom. 5:5)
Paul used nine different words to refer to the offering, but the one he used the most was grace. Giving is truly a ministry and fellowship (2 Cor. 8:4) that helps others, but the motivation must be from the grace of God in the heart. Paul knew that this collection was a debt owed by the Gentiles (Rom. 15:27) and fruit from their Christian lives (Rom. 15:28); but it was even more: it was the working of the grace of God in human hearts. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Encouraged, 88)
Such is the grace of giving. It is not dictated by ability. It has nothing to do with being well-off. It is willing. It views giving as a privilege. It is joyously enthusiastic. (R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word: 2 Corinthians, 158)
- Generosity flows from giving ourselves first to the Lord.
(Ex. 35:22-24; 2 Cor. 8:5; cf. Mat. 22:37-38; Luke 9:23; Rom. 12:1; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:8)
These Christian brethren were not arguing about a tithe. They gave far more than a tithe. They responded not because of a human appeal, but in the giving of self to Him and in service to the church. (Oscar F. Reed, Beacon Bible Commentary: Corinthians, 251)
There is no way to grow to spiritual maturity without committing your finances to the Lord. Jesus can have our money and not have our hearts, but he cannot have our hearts without our money. (R. Kent Hughes, 2 Corinthians, 159)
- Generosity is measured by heart, not by amount.
(Ex. 35:22-26; 2 Cor. 8:12; cf. 1 Sam. 15:22; Prov. 21:2; Mark 12:41-44; 2 Cor. 9:7)
The Macedonian churches were suffering because of their faith. Rome had abstracted most of the province’s wealth. The source of their income was gone. But God wrought a miracle in their hearts. Their suffering for the sake of Christ turned to generosity for their brethren. It always does! (Oscar F. Reed, Beacon Bible Commentary: Corinthians, 249)
God gives us a new heart as believers, and one of the inevitable results of that new heart is generosity. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 216)
Conclusion: If we truly seek to live open-handed before God, we must give God…
- … our moments – being generous with our time.
(Ps. 90:12; Acts 20:24; Rom. 12:11; Gal. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5; James 4:14-15)
The more scarce something is, the more valuable it is. Gold and diamonds would be worthless if you could pick them up like pebbles on the side of the road. Time would not be so precious if we never died. But since we are never more than a breath away from eternity, the way we use our time has eternal significance. (Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, 134)
O spend your time as you would hear of it in the Judgment! (Richard Baxter, A Puritan Golden Treasury, 155)
We cannot add time; we can only exercise stewardship over the time we are given. (Albert Mohler, The Conviction to Lead, 186)
- … our mastery – being generous with our talents.
(Mat. 25:14-30; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-7; Eph. 4:11-12; Col. 3:23-24; 1 Peter 4:10)
The Lord grants us opportunities for service in accordance with our ability to make use of them. Accordingly, since not all men have the same ability, therefore not all have the same, or equal number of, opportunities. In the Day of Judgment the number (of opportunities for service, “talents”) will not matter. The question is only, “Have we been faithful in their use?” (see Matthew 25:14-20). (William Hendriksen, Matthew, 884)
For all of us it should be unthinkable to keep to ourselves the knowledge that God’s ultimate delight is to do the greatest good for others by letting them share in the supreme joy He has in Himself. How could any of us enjoy heaven unless we mobilized our time, talents and treasure to do our utmost to get the good news to the rest of the world? Sadly, many professing Christians do not feel this imperative demand because they, through unbelief, are themselves not experiencing God’s great joy and peace. (Daniel Fuller, The Unity of the Bible, 160)
- … our means – being generous with our treasures.
(Prov. 3:9-10; 11:25; Mal. 3:10; Mat. 6:19-21; Luke 12:33-34; 2 Cor. 9:6-8; 1 Tim. 6:17-19)
Authentic salvation changes our orientation to wealth. If our professed salvation has not loosed our grip on material things so that we have become giving people, we are not saved, despite our protestations. (R. Kent Hughes, 2 Corinthians, 156)
When you have experienced the grace of God in your life, you will not use difficult circumstances as an excuse for not giving. For that matter, are circumstances ever an encouragement to giving? (Warren Wiersbe, Be Encouraged, 89)
When we give, we show that we have been moved by His grace and favor. Those who understand grace, freely give (2 Cor 8:9). Yes, generous giving comes from a heart that has been changed. Has yours? (Tony Merida, Exodus, 216)
Gospel Connection…
Jesus gave His time to serve, His gifts to heal, and His life to save. Because He held nothing back for us, we can and should live open-handed for Him.
(Mark 10:45; Luke 4:18-19; John 3:16; 13:1-17; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 2:5-8; 1 John 3:16)
What has God given to us? Everything! Right down to the last precious drop of the Savior’s blood. What are we giving him in return? (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 1098)
When Christ captures our heart with complete yieldedness, we begin to see His poverty and our wealth and count all things loss for Christ. (Oscar F. Reed, Corinthians, 250)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What do you notice about the heart-posture of the people in today’s texts as they gave? How is that similar to or different from how you usually approach giving?
- What’s the difference between giving out of obligation and giving out of joy? How can we tell which one is motivating us?
- Why is “giving ourselves first to the Lord” foundational to every other kind of generosity? What might that look like in your daily routine?
- Think about your time. What habits or commitments might be keeping you from using your moments generously for God’s purposes?
- Think about your talents. What skills, passions, or experiences could you offer to bless others that you’re currently holding back?
- Think about your treasures. What fears or obstacles make it difficult to give more freely? How might God be inviting you to trust Him more in this area?
Quotes to note…
It is impossible to love God and ignore the needs of your neighbor. Jesus Christ gave Himself for us (Gal. 1:4; 2:20). Should we not give ourselves to Him? He died so that we might not live for ourselves, but for Him and for others (2 Cor. 5:15). (Warren Wiersbe, Be Encouraged, 90)
Where the heart is right and motives of personal consecration are at work, the purse strings get relaxed and problems of finance and supply are at an end (cf. 36:4–7). The wealth that the people lavished must, for the most part, have come to them when the Lord touched Egyptian hearts to respond to the desires of departing Israel (12:36). (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 316)
We humans are selfish by nature. Generosity is not something that comes naturally but is the result of God’s grace in our lives. This is why Paul refers to the Corinthian offering as this act of grace (2 Corinthians 8:6). (Linda L. Belleville, IVP New Testament Commentary: 2 Corinthians, 220)
Accept the cost of good deeds in time, thought, and effort. But remember that opportunities for doing good are not interruptions in God’s plan for us, but part of that plan. We always have time to do what God wants us to do. (Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness, 199)
True generosity is not the prerogative of those who enjoy an adequacy of means. The most genuine liberality is frequently displayed by those who have least to give. Christian giving is estimated in terms not of quantity but of sacrifice. (Philip Hughes, 2 Corinthians, 288)
Paul has emphasized the extraordinary liberality of the Macedonian churches not only for the information of his Corinthian friends but as an example for them to follow. They are relatively more affluent than the Macedonians, and the report of the Macedonians’ spontaneous and sacrificial contribution will (he implies) make the Corinthians all the more eager to play their part and not to be outdone by their fellow-Christians in the north. (F. F. Bruce, New Century Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 221)
Acknowledging that the Corinthians excelled in other graces, Paul urges them to excel also in the grace of giving. However, this urging is not a command to obey — generosity cannot be elicited by command — rather he is using the opportunity which the collection appeal affords to test the genuineness of their love. (D. A. Carson, New Bible Commentary, 1199)
The phrase “gave themselves” implies a costly giving, as it does in Gal. 1:4 where the same language is used of Christ’s death. Giving in the name of Christ is gracious giving. “It reveals the grace of God in action.” (Oscar F. Reed, Beacon Bible Commentary: Corinthians, 251)
They gave because they wanted to give and because they had experienced the grace of God. Grace not only frees us from our sins, but it frees us from ourselves. The grace of God will open your heart and your hand. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Encouraged, 89)