Abilities Vary But Goals Remain The Same

Numbers 7:84
These were the offerings of the Israelite leaders for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver plates, twelve silver sprinkling bowls and twelve gold dishes.

There are many ways to do fundraising. Moses had to raise funds for the construction of the place of worship. The first method in Exodus 25:1 onwards is collecting monies from everyone who is willing. No goal set, everyone decides what they want to give and they give. The only condition is they must be willing. No force, no pressure. This seems to be the ideal way of giving in most passages of the Bible. People give as they wish or as their love for God and His work constrains them.

In our text today and the entire Numbers 7, we find another way of giving or raising funds for the construction of the same Sanctuary. This time round collections are done through group leaders. Each group is given a goal on what to give and they within their groups must strive to reach the target. Each of the tribes of Israelites is listed in this Chapter and they gave exactly the same offerings. They had a goal that each had to reach.

Like in any and every society abilities of people vary. Not everyone is as rich or as poor as the other. Abilities vary. Even though abilities vary, the goals were the same. Abilities vary but the goals remain the same!

The goals set were for the tribes of Israel. Within those tribes, the poor gave what they could and the rich covered the deficiency. The goals were set per tribe to avoid embarrassing and exposing the individual poor. At the tribe level, the leaders could set goals and expectations depending on the abilities of the people under them. In the end, every tribe was able to raise exactly the same amount of the set goal. Abilities vary but the goals remain the same!

Abilities vary but the goal of serving God remains the same. All of us may not preach but each of us should aim to bring a new person to church. Abilities vary but the goals remain the same. Abilities vary but the goal of being blessed remains the same. Do your best and God who sees motives and knows abilities will bless you. Abilities vary but goals remain the same!

Abilities vary but goals of life remain the same. We must eat. We must dress. We must have shelter. Regardless of your abilities, the goals remain the same. That means abilities should not be an excuse for the poor, they must work hard for the basic goals. Abilities must make the rich generous to cover the poor from their inabilities. All of us have the same basic goals in life. Abilities vary but goals remain the same!

Abilities in school are not the same but the goal is a success. Abilities in business snd employment are not the same but the goal is income. Abilities may vary but the aim is healthful living. Abilities vary in relationships but the aim is happy co-existence. Abilities may vary spiritually but the goal is a good relationship with God. Abilities differentiate us, but goals unite us. Abilities vary but goals remain the same!

Goal setting is a strategy that gets things accomplished snd delivers success. Each tribe of Israel was given a goal and though their abilities varied, they reached the goal. It was easy for some and hard for others, but what matters is that they reached the goal. Some did it with ease, others had to be assisted, but in the end, they reached the goal. Our passage today celebrates and reports that all tribes reached their goals. Abilities vary but goals remain the same!

Do you have daily goals? What are you planning to achieve today? Learn to set goals snd strive towards them. Have realistic goals. The habits of successful people are that they set goals for each day, for short terms and long terms. Our abilities vary and some things may take me longer to achieve than it will take you, but in the end, we all achieve. Set goals and work towards them daily. Goals will ensure you properly use time and other resources. You may achieve all your goals or some of them. Carryover the goals you didn’t achieve. You can only evaluate yourself if you have goals. Abilities vary but goals remain the same!

Abilities should not be an excuse for surrender. Even in poverty strive for your goals even if it takes you longer. With daily goals, you will be inching closer and closer to your main goals. It may take you longer to be financially stable. It may take you longer to own property. It may take you longer to graduate. But keep it as your goal and strive towards it. Abilities vary but goals remain the same!

God of heaven, help me set goals that are high enough and realistic. Help me recognize and accept my abilities. Give me the required patience and endurance in striving for the goals. As I set academic goals, financial goals, health goals, may I also have spiritual goals to work towards. With our varied abilities, may we achieve our goals today and in the future, in Jesus’ name, Amen!