Exodus 35 · a question people ask
Did everyone give?
The chapter never says everyone did. It says who came: "everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing" (35:21), "as many as were willing-hearted" (35:22), "every man and woman whose heart made them willing" (35:29). It gives no number and names no one who held back. It does say what the gifts added up to. The workers told Moses, "The people have brought much more than enough for the service of the work which the LORD commanded to make" (36:5), and "the people were restrained from bringing" (36:6).
The verses
“They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to the LORD.”
“The children of Israel brought a free will offering to the LORD; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by Moses.”
“They spoke to Moses, saying, “The people have brought much more than enough for the service of the work which the LORD commanded to make.” Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman make anything else for the offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing. For the stuff they had was sufficient to do all the work, and too much.”