1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give. 3 These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; 4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; 5 ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows ; acacia wood; 6 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 7 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.
8 "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
God's gracious character did not force His people to give so that the tabernacle could be built. He asked for offerings from those "whose heart prompts him to give." In Exodus, the tabernacle represented God's presence being able to dwell among the people. Because of sin, God could not safely interact with people and the tabernacle gave the people a way to be near to God without destroying them. Only those who valued being close to God would be inspired to give.
God still patiently waits for us to desire to draw near to Him and to invest in that desire.