Giving from a Generous Heart

May 6, 2018 Background Scripture: Exodus 25:1 – 7; 35:4 – 29; Leviticus 27:30 – 33; 2 Corinthians 9:6 – 8 Lesson Passage: Exodus 35:20 – 29; Leviticus 27:30 – 33; 2 Corinthians 9:6 – 8 The various offerings presented in the scriptures can be grouped into four categories: sin offering, peace offering, tithe, and freewill offering. The first three are all specified by God and are not negotiable. Only God decides what is appropriate and how much is required. The freewill offering is unique in that it depends solely on the giver. God may specify what is needed of a freewill offering, but He leaves it up to the giver to determine what will be given based on the desires of the giver’s heart. If the need is for gold, the giver will decide if it would be given and how much will be given. The passage of scripture from Exodus describes God’s request for a freewill offering from the people of Israel that would be needed for the construction and furnishing of the tabernacle. Since God provided the plan for the tabernacle and its furnishings, He also provided the list of materials that would be needed to complete it. It is worth noting that the people did not bring the items all at once. Every morning, people kept bringing a freewill offering as they found it in their hearts to do so. The scriptures describe the disposition of the people as having their hearts stirred up or the ones whose spirit made them willing. This could be the reason why it was not all brought at the same time. Some people had not yet been convicted to give for the Lord’s work. But they kept bringing offerings according to God’s request for the tabernacle. The passage of scripture from the New Testament letter also describe a freewill offering. This was being received for the poor saints in the Jerusalem church. It is apparent from the letter that the Christians at Corinth had previously pledged to support the Jerusalem congregation, but they had not followed through by bringing the offering. Paul urged the Corinthians to complete their promise of giving before the missionaries arrived to receive it on behalf of the Jerusalem church. In the lesson passage, Paul connects blessings with the giving. He stated that liberal giving would yield liberal blessings and stingy giving would likewise yield stingy blessings. He reminded them that it was a freewill offering and that it should not be given in a grudging way as though they were being compelled to give it. They should be cheerful or rejoicing in the privilege of giving and this attitude would be pleasing to God. The first passage and the last passage in today’s lesson speak of a freewill offering. The middle passage from Leviticus speaks solely of the tithe (or tenth). The tithe is first introduced in scriptures as an act of faith on the part of Abram over five hundred years before the Law was given to Israel through Moses. In fact, Moses was yet to be born when Abram gave a tenth of his increase as an offering. Tithing was repeated by Abram’s grandson, Jacob, many years later but yet hundreds of years before the giving of the Law. When the Law was given, it included the tithe. It was included not just as an offering but as a holy thing unto the Lord. Including the tithe in the Law as holy, made bringing it an act of obedience and an act of worship. The tithe is an acknowledgement that the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Bringing the tithe is an act of agreement that God is the rightful owner and the worshiper is a steward. With this understanding, whether it is the tithe or a freewill offering, the giver should be able to cheerfully bring both with a generous heart. Robert C. Hudson April 18, 2018