Goats' Hair

We are in the midst of our goat showing season here in Minnesota.  My daughters are showing their goats at county fairs and other goat shows and are enjoying the friendly competition.  In a time where youth are so engaged in sports, I guess you can say this is our family’s sport.  My daughters love raising, fitting and showing meat goats and have learned valuable life lessons through the same.

As we get the goats prepared for the show, we spend a lot of time clipping or fitting them for the show. Neutered males called wethers, are given a very close hair cut. This is for the purpose of presenting the animal in such a way that the judge can look and feel the amount of muscling that is on the animal as this is its purpose, to produce meat for the table.  So as we are clipping these goats, hair is flying around and we find ourselves covered all over with the clippings. This is especially a challenge during these summer months as the one who is doing the clipping is already sweaty which of course causes the goat hair to stick on one’s face, arms, ears, back of the neck and inside the nose (ah-choo!).

While the breed of goat we own is for meat production there are goats that are valued for the hair they grow.  The product that goat hair makes is what we know as cashmere.  Cashmere is fine in texture, strong, light, and soft and is highly valued.

When the Children of Israel built the tabernacle in the wilderness under Moses’ leadership, no one was deprived of the privilege of giving something toward the materials needed. Gold and precious stones were needed which the more affluent could supply. A large variety of other things which were needed gave everyone opportunity to participate.

“So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord.  And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats' hair or tanned rams' skins or goatskins brought them. Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the Lord's contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats' hair.” Exodus 35:22-26 (ESV)

Even those, who might not have owned precious metals or jewels, shared through their animals in this important enterprise in man's response to God's redemptive work. For this was the motive for giving; God had just rescued Israel out of their slavery in Egypt and from the Red Sea. Their thankful hearts gave until there was "too much." Read Exodus chapters 35 and 36.

It is possible that among Christians today there is ample presentation of need for stewardship than there has ever been in the church. And yet there is not enough. Not to mention too much. What is the reason? Does it not lie in the lack of appreciation and thankfulness for God's salvation?

The topic of stewardship is interesting.  It can be perceived as a minefield for many pastors to navigate through so some pastors are guilty of saying nothing. Yet, Jesus had much to say about money and stewardship as recorded in the four gospels.  Paul, inspired by God, the Holy Spirit, wrote about stewardship as well.   I knew a pastor that was extremely liberal in his theology (questioned the virgin birth of Christ Jesus and wasn’t so sure a physical resurrection of Jesus was required for salvation and expressed all spiritual roads lead ultimately to God perhaps even unbelief, to name a few) but the one place he was down right a literalist was the whole business of tithing as recorded in Malachi chapter 3.   Is stewardship just about tithing 10% or is there something more to this?

Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:21 – ESV)   Christians lovingly sing the hymn, “Jesus Priceless Treasure” proclaiming their trust in the only true source of the abundant life. Such expressed trust and love motivates a Christian to be the “cheerful” giver in response to God loves.   Did you know the Greek word for “cheerful” in 2 Cor. 9:7 is “hilaron” from where we get the word “hilarious”?  God desires a “hilarious” giver! Wow!

So Christian giving is not out of legalistic obligation nor is it based on a quid pro quo system where by giving “x” to God- God will give me “y”.  It is the love of Christ, which compels us!  (2 Cor.15:14)    It’s true that tithing is part of Old Testament ceremonial law and yet it is not binding for Christians today.  However, through Christ Jesus complete fulfillment of God’s Law, Christians are free so why would we restrict ourselves to giving just 10% of our income? Wouldn’t the better expression of this love and thankfulness towards God be through the dedication of all we have been given for His glory?

So why do so many Christian congregations suffer for need of financial support? Could it be there is a lack of appreciation of the redemption that is granted to the forgiven? Perhaps sin is a small matter with too many of us and thus forgiveness of sin becomes even a smaller matter.   Perhaps the false message of no hell as offered by “progressive” pastors or the heresy of universalism has seeped into the personal theology of even the most pious Christian thus dulling the appreciation that Christ Jesus’ death on the Cross of Calvary was to atone for such sin and appease the righteous wrath of God.  Dare we appeal to members of the kingdom of God to give out of thankfulness for salvation? If we fear for the meager response, it is high time that we intensified our preaching and teaching of God's word. Only the Holy Spirit, working through an abundant and clear presentation of the whole message of the Bible, can correct the situation.

While the Church needs our financial gifts, there is more. Many congregations struggle to get Christians to teach Sunday school. Or sing in the choir. Or serve as officers of the church and its organizations. Is it because of lack of ability or is it more of a lack of willingness? I fear that those with less ability often do the church’s work because they were willing when the more able lack the willingness. Let no one say, "I have nothing to give."

Remember the goats' hair. You might even have more than you think.