by Joe Ranney

Have you ever heard a pastor speak on the three "T's"? Maybe you are a pastor who has preached on the subject. In either case, what do the three "T" initials stand for and in what order are they usually presented? The order is probably not as listed in the subtitle. I always remember those good sermons on stewardship as being time, talent and treasure. However, Exodus 35 provides a fascinating study of what it should be: TREASURE, TALENT, TIME.

Exodus 35 introduces us to the greatest revival of all time. But first, what is the setting? What started and caused it? Israel was now well removed from Egypt and had the sad golden calf idolatry experience behind them. God was now encouraging, even commanding, Israel to move forward into the promised land--the land flowing with milk and honey. It was the land promised to Abraham so long before. The Lord Himself wanted to be physically present with His people. To do that He needed a house--the tabernacle--to dwell in. The First Church of Israel was about to be built.

The project began with a sermon by Pastor Moses on stewardship. I can just hear a few mutter to themselves, "Oh, no, do we have to listen to a sermon on stewardship?" Well, yes folks, if you want the Lord to dwell in your midst. Yes, should even want to hear it.

We read in Exodus 35:4-10 how he began the message. Note in verse 4, the "whole Israelite community" gathered to hear him preach on what God had commanded Moses to say. In verse 5 he invites all who have a willing heart to bring their Treasure to the Lord (not to Moses or the church or denomination--to God). So, they brought their Treasure--the gold, silver, bronze, yarn, skins and all sorts of material possessions. All of the items were given with the express purpose of making a place where the Lord could dwell in their midst. They did it willingly. The great revival was about to begin.

Then in the sermon, Moses called for them to dedicate their Talents to fashion the Treasure they were giving into the making of the tabernacle. Well, how could they do that? They couldn't, without also giving the third T--Time. Their Time was needed to put their Talents to work.

As we read in verses 20-29, all willing men and women were asked to bring their Treasure, Talent, their Time! When God's people willingly bring the three "T's" in the proper order, you better start looking for the revival to begin, because it will! When we honor God, God will bless and honor us.

While on the surface Exodus chapters 36 through 40 might seem to be "dull reading," it is to the contrary an exciting narration of the enthusiastic work of these talented men and women in their preparation for God's coming into their presence. In good business management courses you can hear the tried and true concept: "Plan your work, work your plan." As a result of the people's loving and willing response in giving the three "T's" and the "Plan your work, work your plan" principle, it is only right to expect what comes next:

Just think of it, God came down to dwell with His people. But reading the text it is clear there was still a physical separation--the walls of the tent itself. His absolute holiness does not tolerate any presence of sin. Verse 35 above says that Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting while the cloud was settled upon it. He wants to be with us today just as much as He wanted to be with the Israelites then.

Jesus died for you and me. Through His sacrifice, the veil of separation is completely removed between us and God. We have the privilege of coming into His very presence. The tabernacle is no longer necessary--Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to indwell every believer.

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16,17).

"Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1).

Do the chapters of Exodus we have looked at here describe the greatest of all revivals? I think so. Look at Exodus 36:6,7. Did you realize that Moses had to give the order for people to stop giving?

"And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work" (Exodus 36:6,7).

I don't know of any revivals or stewardship messages where the minister had to get up and plead with the people to quit giving and stop the ushers from taking any more offerings. Do you? And God dwelt in their midst. May He so dwell in ours. We being good stewards, He will. Amen!

Are you interested in learning more about the theory "Plan your work, work your plan"? In my next Gleanings I will share where and how that originated and why that is such an important principle. Be watching for it.