Category
108 Offering and Tithes
Think about this: Christ loved us so much that he gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering to God.1 He made the ultimate sacrifice for you on the cross, loving you to death and beyond. Even as time marches on, His love stays constant.
It's so important for you to grasp that the biggest sacrifice has already been made. But now, you get to be a pleasing offering to God, too. Let your service, your honor, and your giving be a delight to your Heavenly Father. Know that Jesus has given you everything, and anything you offer pales in comparison to His love.
Giving to God, supporting His work, it's an expression of love. Don't see it as a burden or an obligation, but as a response to God's love and Jesus' sacrifice. It's a way of saying "thank you" for everything Heaven has poured into your life.
1Ephesians 5:2
“I won't remember their sins and lawlessness anymore.”Once free from such things, sin offerings are no longer needed.
Jesus explained this while he was teaching near the Temple treasury. Yet no one arrested him because his time had not yet come.
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse so that there will be food in my Temple. Put me to the test in this, says the Lord Almighty, and I will open the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you won't have enough room for it.
“Make sure you don't tell anyone,” Jesus told him. “Go and show yourself to the priest and give the offering which Moses required as public proof.”
Live in love, just as Christ loved you. He gave himself for us, a gift and sacrificial offering to God like a sweet-smelling perfume.
His master said to him, ‘You've done well—you are a good, faithful servant. You have proved trustworthy over small things, so now I'm placing you in charge over many things. Be happy because I'm really pleased with you!’Then the man with one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I know that you're a hard man. You reap where you didn't sow, and you harvest crops that you didn't plant.
Everybody should give as they've already decided—not reluctantly, or because they have to, for God loves those who give with a cheerful spirit.
Jesus sat down opposite the treasury collection box, watching people tossing in coins. Many of the rich were extravagantly throwing in a lot of money.Then a poor widow came along and put in just two small coins.He called his disciples together and told them, “I tell you the truth: this poor widow has put in more than all the rest together.All of them gave from their wealth what they had, but she gave from her poverty what she didn't have. She put in all she had to live on.”
But I will offer you sacrifices, shouting out my thanks. I will keep my promises to you, for salvation comes from the Lord.”
He gave himself for us, so that he could set us free from all our wickedness, and to make us clean for him—a people who belong to him, keen to do good.
God, who did not hold back his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, won't he also freely give us everything?
Each of you is to bring whatever gift you can, depending on how much the Lord your God has blessed you.
give, and you will be given generously in return. When what you're given is measured out, it's pressed down so more can be added, spilling out over the top, pouring into your lap! For how much you give will determine how much you receive.”
If the willingness is there, it's fine to give what you have, not what you don't have!
Collect an offering to the Lord from what you have. Everyone who wants to should bring an offering to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze;
But who am I, and who are my people, that we are able to give as willingly as this? For everything we have comes from you—we are only giving back what you have given us.
So I encourage you, my brothers and sisters, because of God's compassion for you, to dedicate your bodies as a living offering that is holy and pleasing to God. This is the logical way to worship.
And don't forget to do what is good, and to share with others what you have, for God is pleased when you make such sacrifices.
Make sure you pay a tithe of every crop grown each year in your fields.You are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose to live with you, so that you will learn to always respect the Lord your God.
On the first day of the week everybody should set aside some money you've earned. I don't want there to be any collections to have to be made when I'm with you.
He blessed Abram, telling him, “May Abram be blessed by the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth.They attacked Bera, king of Sodom, Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (otherwise known as Zoar).May the Most High God be praised, who handed your enemies over to you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek one tenth of everything.
Good things come to those who are generous in their lending and are honest in doing business.
If you give generously you receive more, but if you keep back what you should give, you end up poor.If you're generous, you'll become rich; give someone a drink of water, and you'll be given one in return.
What a disaster is coming on you religious teachers and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay a tithe of mint, aniseed, and cumin, but you neglect the vital aspects of the law—doing good, showing mercy, exercising trust. Yes, you should pay your tithe, but don't forget these other things.
Looking around, Jesus watched rich people putting their gifts into the collection box.Nation will fight nation, and kingdom will fight kingdom,” he told them.“There will be severe earthquakes, famines, and epidemic diseases in many lands, and extraordinary signs in the sky that are terrifying.But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will drag you before synagogues and throw you into prison, and put you on trial before kings and governors on account of me.But this will provide you an opportunity to speak on my behalf before them.So make up your mind beforehand not to worry about how to defend yourselves,for I will give you words of wisdom that your enemies won't be able to dispute or contradict.You will be betrayed even by your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will kill some of you.Everyone will hate you because of me.But not a single hair of your head will be lost.By standing firm you will gain your lives. He also saw a very poor widow put in two small coins. However, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you know that its destruction is near.Those who are in Judea should run away to the mountains, and those who are in Jerusalem should leave, and those who are the countryside shouldn't enter the city.For these are days of punishment, fulfilling all that's written.How hard it will be for those who are pregnant or nursing babies at that time! For terrible trouble is coming on the land and punishment against this people.They will be killed by the sword and taken away as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trodden down by the foreign nations until their time is fulfilled.There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and on the earth the nations will be in distress, confused by the sea's rolling and crashing.People will be faint from fear, terrified about what is happening to the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.Then they'll see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.But when these things happen, stand up and look up, because you will soon be saved.”Then he told them this story as an illustration. “Look at the fig tree, or any other kind of tree.“I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the rest together.When you see new leaves appear, you don't need to be told that summer is near.In the same way, when you see these things happening, you don't need to be told that God's kingdom is near.I tell you the truth, this generation won't come to an end before all this happens.Heaven and earth will come to an end, but my word will not.Watch out that you don't become distracted by partying or getting drunk or by the worries of this life, so that this day catches you by surprise.For this day will come upon everyone who lives on the face of the earth.Always keep watch and pray, so that you may be able to escape all that will happen and stand before the Son of man.”Every day Jesus taught in the Temple, and every evening he went and stayed on the Mount of Olives.All the people came early in the morning to listen to him in the Temple.All of them gave from their wealth what they had, but she gave from her poverty all she had to live on.”
the people faithfully brought in their offerings, tithes, and dedicated gifts. Conaniah the Levite was the one who was responsible for them, and his brother Shimei was second in command.
I have given you an example in everything: work to help those who are weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
For I have everything, more than I need! I'm thankful to receive from Epaphroditus the things you sent. They're like a sweet-smelling sacrifice that pleases God and that he approves of.
I tell you the truth, those who give a drink of cool water to the least important of my disciples will definitely not miss out on their reward.”
No, this is the fast I want: set free those who have been unjustly imprisoned, untie the cords of the yoke used to burden people, set free those who are oppressed, and get rid of every form of abuse.Share your food with the hungry, take the poor and homeless into your house. When you see people naked, give them clothes, and don't reject your own relatives.
Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.Don't tell your neighbor, “Go away. Come back tomorrow and then I'll give it to you,” when you've already got it.
Those that are taught the Word should treat their teachers well, sharing with them all good things.
Warn those who are rich in the present world not to become proud. Tell them not to place their trust in wealth that is so insecure but in God who so freely gives us everything for our enjoyment.Tell them to do good, and to become rich in doing good things, ready to share what they have, and to be generous.In this way they store up treasure that will provide a solid basis for the future, so that they can take hold of true life.
“Instruct the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive my offering from everyone who willingly wants to give.
Once you've entered the country that the Lord your God is giving you to own, and you take it over and settle there,Look, Lord! I have brought you the firstfruits of the land that you have given me.” You shall place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down in worship before him.Then you, the Levites, and the foreigners who live with you are to celebrate all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your family.Once you've finished storing up a tenth of all your crops in the third year (the year of the tithe), you shall give it to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, so they will have enough to eat in your towns.Then you are to make this declaration in the presence of the Lord your God: “I have brought the holy tithe and I have given it to the Levite, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows as you have ordered me to do. I have not broken or forgotten your commandments.I have not eaten any of the holy tithe while in mourning, or taken any of it while I was unclean, or used any of it as an offering for the dead. I have obeyed the Lord my God. I have done everything you ordered me to do.Please look down from your home in heaven, and bless your people the Israelites and the country you have given us as you promised our fathers—a land flowing with milk and honey.”Today the Lord your God orders you to carry out these rules and regulations. Make sure you follow them with all your mind and with all your being.Today you have publicly declared that the Lord is your God and that you will follow his ways, keep rules and commandments and regulations, and obey what he says.Today the Lord has announced that you are a special people who belong to him as he promised. He has announced that you are to keep all his commandments.He has announced that he will give you greater praise and reputation and honor than any other nation he has made. He has announced that you will be a holy people to the Lord your God, as he promised.take some of the firstfruits of all your crops produced by the land that the Lord your God is giving you and place them in a basket. Then go to the place the Lord your God will choose to live with you,
Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of the Most High God. He met Abraham who was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him.for he was yet to be born from his father when Melchizedek met Abraham. Now if perfection could have been achieved through the priesthood of Levi (for that's how the law was received), what was the need for another priest to come following the order of Melchizedek, and not following the order of Aaron?If the priesthood is changed, then the law needs to be changed too.The one we're talking about comes from a different tribe, a tribe that has never provided priests to serve at the altar.It's clear that our Lord is a descendant of Judah, and Moses said nothing about priests coming from this tribe.What makes it even clearer is when another priest appears who is similar to Melchizedek,and who didn't become a priest by virtue of his human ancestry but by the power of a life that cannot be ended.That's why it says, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” So the previous rule has been set aside because it was powerless and didn't work,(for the law didn't make anything perfect). But now it's been replaced by a better hope by which we can come close to God.Abraham gave him a tithe of all that he had won. Melchizedek's name means “king of right” while king of Salem means “king of peace.”
The Lord does whatever he wants throughout heaven and earth, on the seas and in the ocean depths.He causes the clouds to rise all over the earth, he makes lightning flash and give rain, he sends the winds from his storehouses.
In the same way you should let your light shine before everyone so they can see the good things you do and praise your heavenly Father.
God is able to graciously provide you with everything, so that you will always have all you need—with plenty to help others too.
But remember it's the Lord your God who gives you the ability to become rich, in order to fulfill his agreement he promised to your forefathers that still exists today.
I know, my God, that you look on the inside and are happy when we live right. Everything I have given willingly and with an honest heart, and now I have seen your people here giving happily and willingly to you.
Sell what you have, and give the money to the poor. Get yourselves purses that don't wear out: treasure in heaven that will never run out, where no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.For what you value the most shows who you really are.
When you give to the poor, don't be like the hypocrites who blow their own trumpets to announce what they're doing in the synagogues and in the streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth: they already have their reward.Instead, you should store up your wealth in heaven, where moths and rust don't ruin it, and where thieves don't break in and steal it.For what you value the most shows who you really are.The eye is like a lamp that lights the body. So if your eye is healthy, then your whole body will have light.But if your eye is evil, then your whole body will be in the dark. If the ‘light’ you have is actually darkness, how dark is that!No one can serve two masters. Either you'll hate one and love the other, or you'll be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Money. That's why I'm telling you not to worry about your life. Don't worry about what to eat, or what to drink, or what clothes to put on. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothes?Look at the birds—they don't sow or reap or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they are?Who of you by worrying can add a minute to your life?And why are you worried about clothes? Look at the beautiful flowers in the field. See how they grow: they don't work hard, they don't spin thread.But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these flowers.When you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand's doing.So if God decorates the fields like this, grass which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, won't he do much more for you, you people who trust so little?So don't worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’These are all the things that the heathen chase after, but your heavenly Father knows everything you need.Seek his kingdom first, and his way of living right, and everything will be given to you.So don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow can worry about itself. There's already enough evil in every day.”That way what you give will be in secret, and your Father who sees what happens in secret will reward you.
This stone pillar that I've set up will be the house of God, and I will give you one tenth of all you give me.”
because the believers in Macedonia and Achaia thought it was a good idea to send a contribution to the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.
Moses gave the order, and an announcement was made throughout the camp: “Men and women, don't bring anything more as an offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were stopped from bringing anything more,since there was already more than enough to do all the work necessary.
I will happily offer a sacrifice to you; I will praise the kind of person you are, Lord, for you are good.
Don't you know that those who work in temples receive their meals from temple offerings, and those who serve at the altar receive their portion of the sacrifice on the altar?In just the same way the Lord ordered that those who announce the good news should live from supporters of the good news.
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, then go and sell your possessions, give the money to the poor, and you'll have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”
Sometime later Cain brought some of the produce he'd grown as an offering to the Lord.Abel also brought an offering: the firstborn lambs of his flock, selecting the very best parts to offer. The Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering,but he wasn't pleased with Cain and his offering, which made Cain very angry and he frowned in annoyance.
Give the Lord acclamation, nations of the world, acclaim him with glory and strength.Give the Lord the glory he deserves; bring an offering and come into his courts.
Honor the Lord for his glorious character, bow in reverence to the Lord in his brilliant holiness.
Those who weep as they go out to sow their seed will be singing in celebration when they carry the harvest home.
People greedy for ill-gotten gains make trouble for their families, but those who hate bribes will live.
So let us through Jesus always offer a sacrifice of praise to God—this means speaking well of God, declaring his character.
When you harvest your crops, bring the firstfruits to the house of the Lord your God. Don't cook a young goat in milk from its mother.”
Elders who direct the church well should be seen as doubly valuable, particularly those who work in speaking the Word and in teaching.As Scripture says, “Don't muzzle the ox when it's threshing out the grain.” Also, “The worker deserves to be paid.”
Keep me from being false, help me not to tell lies. Don't make me poor or rich; just provide me with the food I need.Otherwise if I have plenty of money, I may give up on you, saying, “Who is the Lord?” while if I'm poor I may steal and bring the name of my God into disrepute.
The king will tell them, ‘I tell you the truth: whatever you did for one of these least important brothers of mine you did for me.’
You Philippians remember that right at the beginning of sharing the good news, when I left Macedonia, that yours was the only church that helped me financially.Even when I was in Thessalonica you helped me out not once but twice.
Since the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need.He gives me rest in green fields. He leads me towards quietly flowing streams.
If you give to the poor, you won't be in need; but if you look the other way, you'll have many curses.
More than this, because of my devotion to the house of my God, I'm now giving my personal fortune of gold and silver, in addition to everything that I have provided for this holy house.
Share in providing for the needs of God's people, and welcome strangers with hospitality.
if you dedicate yourselves to helping the hungry and give the poor what they need, then your light will shine out in the darkness, and your night will be like the sun at noon.
How happy are those who take care of the poor! When they are in trouble the Lord will save them.But you Lord, please be gracious to me, make me well so I can repay them!I know you are pleased with me because you have not let my enemies win and shout in triumph over me.You have supported me because of my integrity, you have brought me into your presence forever.Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, from eternity to eternity! Amen and amen!The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. They will live happily in the land, and they will not be handed over to their enemies.
Don't pile up wealth here on earth where moths and rust ruin it, and where thieves break in and steal it.When you give to the poor, don't be like the hypocrites who blow their own trumpets to announce what they're doing in the synagogues and in the streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth: they already have their reward.Instead, you should store up your wealth in heaven, where moths and rust don't ruin it, and where thieves don't break in and steal it.For what you value the most shows who you really are.
Give and give again to them, and don't feel irritated when you give. When you give generously the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you decide to do.
They share generously, giving to the poor; the good they do has eternal results. They are greatly respected.
Brothers and sisters, we want to let you know about the grace of God shown to the Macedonian churches.This is my advice: it would be good if you finished what you started. Last year you were not only the first to give but the first to want to do so.Now finish what you planned to do. Be as keen to finish as you were to plan, and give as you are able.If the willingness is there, it's fine to give what you have, not what you don't have!This is not to make things easier for others and harder for you, but simply to be fair.At the moment you have more than enough and can meet their needs, and in turn when they have more than enough they can meet your needs. In that way everyone is treated fairly.As Scripture says, “The one who had much didn't have any excess, and the one who didn't have much didn't have too little.” Thanks be to God that he gave to Titus the same devotion for you that I have.Though he agreed to do what we told him, he's coming to see you because he really wants to, and had already decided to do so.We're also sending with him a brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the good news.He was also appointed by the churches to go with us as we deliver this gracious offering we're carrying. We do this to honor the Lord and to show our eagerness to help others.Even though they have suffered terrible trouble, they are overflowing with happiness; and even though they are very poor, they are also overflowing in their generosity.We want to guard against anyone criticizing us about how we use this gift.We're concerned to do things the right way, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of everyone.We're also sending with them another brother who has proved to be reliable on many occasions, and who is eager to help. He is now even more eager to help because of the great confidence he has in you.If anyone asks about Titus, he is my companion. He works with me on your behalf. The other brothers are representatives from the churches and an honor to Christ.So please welcome them before all the churches and show them your love, proving how rightly proud we are of you.I can confirm that they gave what they could, in fact even more than that! By their own choicethey kept on pleading with us to have a part in this privilege of sharing in this ministry to God's people.They didn't just do what we hoped they would do, but they gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us, as God wanted them to do.
May the Most High God be praised, who handed your enemies over to you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek one tenth of everything.
The people celebrated because their leaders had been so willing to give to the Lord, freely and wholeheartedly. King David was also really delighted.
if encouragement then you should encourage; if giving then you should give generously; if leadership then you should lead with commitment; if being merciful then you should do so gladly.
He makes sure the oppressed receive justice. He gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free.
We were to work for the foreigners, while they would work for the Jews. Their only instruction was to remember to look after the poor, something I was already very committed to.
When I get there I will write recommendation letters for whoever you choose, and they will take your donation to Jerusalem.If it works out for me to go too, they can come with me.
because you've been partners with me in spreading the good news right from the beginning up till now.
If you're kind to the poor, you're lending to the Lord, and he will repay you well for what you've done.
You will be made rich in every way so that you can always be very generous, and your generosity will lead others to be grateful to God.
When you provide it, they gather it up. You hand out food to them, and they are well-fed.
So if even you who are evil know to give good things to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.
Be completely dedicated to each other in your love as family; value others more than yourselves.
Throw your burdens onto the Lord and he will take care of you. He will never allow those who live right to fall.
Don't be fooled, God can't be treated with contempt: whatever you sow, that's what you reap.
Tell them to do good, and to become rich in doing good things, ready to share what they have, and to be generous.
He helps the poor up from the dust; he lifts the needy from the dump.He gives them positions of honor together with important leaders, with leaders of his own people.
Think how great this man was for Abraham the patriarch to give him a tithe of what was won in battle.