Joel M Bradshaw

16You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the LORD, so as to make atonement for your lives.”–Exodus 30

The purpose of this tax was revealed in the end of the verse. God wanted Israel to ponder their very existence and to remember Him.

1. THEY WERE ONCE SLAVES.
2. THEY WERE TRAVELING TO A LAND ONCE BELONGING TO ABRAHAM AND THEN PROMISED TO THEM.
3. THEY WERE IN NEED OF DAILY BREAD PROVIDED BY GOD AS THEY TRAVELED.
4. THEY OWED THEIR VERY EXISTENCE TO GOD.
5. EVERY PERSON OF A MATURE AGE SHOULD PARTICIPATE.

Every person that was counted in the census would pay for the upkeep of the tabernacle worship services. The very worship that maintained the relationship between man and God would be provided for. If you financially give at church you provide in a similar way for the continuation of ministry. This could take the form of physical upkeep expenses or even staff salaries.

We have much to remember about our faithful God, as well. Every time we gather for worship we should remember with gratitude the sacrifice of Jesus, the price He once paid for us as an atoning ransom. The ancient tabernacle depended upon this annual tax, but more important the people needed to regularly remember the faithfulness of God. Involving money makes that remembrance hit home!–JMB