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Exodus 26:29 "You shall overlay the frames with gold, and shall make their rings of gold for holders of the bars; and you shall overlay the bars with gold." This is part of God's instruction to Moses on how to construct and adorn the tabernacle, which is to be chock-full of beautiful things. (Exodus 26)

 

Why does God insist on such beauty and the use of such precious materials in His tabernacle? He certainly does not need them. People sometimes make the argument that the Church should not be concerned with creating or possessing beautiful, valuable things, and should instead give all of its money in service of the poor and needy. But beauty is good, and beauty in service of right worship is heavenly.

 

God doesn't need us to give Him beautiful things, He wants us to have beautiful things, especially in our worship. They put us in the right frame of mind; they show the value of the places we have set apart to meet God; they are a reflection of the beauty of Heaven, calling to our minds that beauty, reminding us what we hope for; and they allow us to show our love of Him (what person in love doesn't want to give his beloved beautiful things?).

 

We can worship anywhere, in any circumstance, and it will be pleasing to God. Soldiers in foxholes, prisoners in jail cells, the persecuted from hidden places, all can and have performed beautiful acts of worship without a thing of beauty to be seen. But if we have the luxury of worshiping freely, and the gifts with which to do it, God wants us to worship surrounded by beautiful things. He wants to remind us of His beauty, the beauty of our heavenly home, and the true value of our worship.