在美國俄勒岡州壯麗的哥倫比亞河谷南岸，有一條專門為觀光設計的公路，被譽為美國第一條景觀大道。駕車沿著公路蜿蜒前行，可以欣賞兩旁的森林、瀑布與山崖等令人驚嘆的美景。在其中一處風景絕美的觀景點，有一塊刻了文字的紀念碑，上面是建造這公路的工程師蘭卡斯特（Samuel C. Lancaster）在1915年寫下的話：「感謝上帝的慈愛，容許我參與建造這條寬廣的大道，襯托祂所創造的綺麗風光。」

我們很容易將所擁有的資源和成就歸功於自己，或藉此為自己贏得讚美。然而，如果我們將這一切視為上帝傑作周圍的卑微「襯托」，那會如何呢？摩西邀請以色列百姓奉獻禮物來建造會幕（出埃及記35章5節）就是一個例子。當時「凡心裡受感和甘心樂意的」就奉獻他們所有的：貴重的金屬、寶石、細麻布、皮革、木材、香料和油（21-28節）。他們都甘心樂意奉獻這些貴重的物品，好完成耶和華吩咐他們的工作（29節）。雖然有些工匠特別有天賦，但每個人都能有一些貢獻，就像那些善於把山羊毛紡成線的婦女一樣（26節）。

無論是在那時或在今天，最重要的是奉獻者的心態。「你們中間要拿禮物獻給耶和華」（5節）。將所擁有的獻上，那麼我們的資源才能得到最佳利用。

“I am thankful to God for His goodness,” reads the plaque, “in permitting me to have a part in building this broad thoroughfare as a frame to the beautiful picture which He created.” The inscription is attributed to highway engineer Samuel Christopher Lancaster in 1915. It stands at a beautiful scenic overlook on the highway he designed, a road that takes drivers along the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge, with forests, waterfalls, and rocky cliffs.

It’s tempting to take credit for our resources and accomplishments or use them to bring ourselves praise. What would it look like, instead, to think of them as a lowly “frame” around God’s masterpiece? One example is when Moses invited the Israelites to bring gifts to build the tabernacle (Exodus 35:5). “Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them” contributed what they had: precious metal and stone, linen, leather, wood, spices, and oil (vv. 21-28). These costly goods were offered from willing hearts to fulfill what God had commanded (v. 29). Some master craftsmen were especially gifted. But everyone could contribute something, like the women who skillfully spun goat hair (v. 26).

What mattered most then, and today, is the posture of the giver’s heart. “From what you have, take an offering for the Lord” (v. 5). That’s when our resources are put to their best use.