Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus, will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not. After a rather eventful departure from Egypt, the worn-out Israelites arrived in the desert of Sin where they pitched camp. Although they had encountered some challenges since leaving Egypt (being caught between the Sea of Reeds and the pursuing Egyptians, as well as going many days without water), it was in the desert of Sin that the Israelites finally broke down. They were facing a situation unlike they had seen before. The scarcity of resources for both themselves and their animals was proving to be too heavy a burden for them to bear. It even made them to look back to Egypt and wish they had never left! They cried to Moses who in turn cried out to the Lord. Their cries were heard, and the Lord intervened, promising them daily bread from the heavens. In return, the Lord wanted only one thing from the Israelites: trust. The Lord who had twice delivered them from the hands of the Egyptians was more than capable of providing for their food. As a sign of their trust in God’s providence, all they needed to do was to ensure that they collect on a daily basis the amount that was enough for that very day. This was a test from the Lord.  
We know that some of the Israelites unfortunately failed this test from the Lord (cf. Exodus 16:20). Some of the people disregarded the instruction from both the Lord and Moses and collected more than they needed. Their action stemmed from something that is very endemic to human nature: greed. Human beings have never been satisfied with what God has given them. Beginning with Adam and Eve who were tricked into sinning because of the prospect of ‘becoming like gods,’ humanity has never ceased from kicking itself in the foot because of wanting more. It is something that leads us into the sin of sidelining God as we entertain the thought that we can provide for ourselves. And we know that nothing good comes out of pushing God out of the picture. Our attempts at being our own providers have only plunged our world into chaos and disorder.
We are aware that the Israelites failed in this one request from the Lord. Greed coupled with the insecurity of not knowing what tomorrow will bring made them to collect more than they needed for the night. It was an act that added to the numerous strikes which were piling up against them. Unlike the Israelites in the desert, we can say that we know better. May we try our best not to end up like them. May we always place our trust in the Lord who provides for his creatures.