The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to bring me their sacred offerings

Exodus 25:1-2

Giving conforms us into the image of God.

• For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
  Romans 8:29 (ESV)

Giving cultivates a sacrificial heart like the heart of God.

• For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
  John 3:16 

Giving creates opportunities for us to demonstrate the love and character of Christ.

• By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
  John 13:35 (NIV)

God doesn’t want to manipulate or mandate us to give, He wants everyone to give cheerfully without reservation.

So, let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV)

God doesn’t ask us to give because He can’t provide. He asks us to give so we can experience and trust Him as our provider, as well as be His hands and feet to others, so they can experience His provision.

The offering didn’t belong to Moses, it didn’t belong to the elders, and it didn’t belong to Israel itself. God said you shall take My offering. The offering belonged to God, and was held by Moses and the nation on God’s behalf.

We own nothing. Everything we have belongs to the Lord. We are simple managers… trustees.

Our responsibility, and privilege is to give without

• Reservation
• Question
• Explanation
• Invitation
• Manipulation

Everything belongs to God, so giving shouldn’t be an issue.

• The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.
  Psalm 24:1

• To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.
  Deuteronomy 10:14 (NIV)

• The world is mine, and all that is in it.
  Psalm 50:12b (NIV)

• Everything under heaven is mine.
  Job 41:11b

• Everything belongs to God, and all things were created by his power. 
  Hebrews 2:10a, (CEV)

There were acceptable and non-acceptable gifts.

Here is a list of sacred offerings you may accept from them:
Exodus 25:3a

Give, without Reservation question, explanation, invitation, or manipulation.