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
then he says, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no longer.”Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
(Jesus spoke these words near the offering box while he was teaching in the temple courts. No one seized him because his time had not yet come.)
“Bring the entire tithe into the storehouse so that there may be food in my temple. Test me in this matter,” says the Lord who rules over all, “to see if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until there is no room for it all.
Then Jesus said to him, “See that you do not speak to anyone, but go, show yourself to a priest, and bring the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.
His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed,
Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.
Then he sat down opposite the offering box, and watched the crowd putting coins into it. Many rich people were throwing in large amounts.And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth less than a penny.He called his disciples and said to them, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others.For they all gave out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in what she had to live on, everything she had.”
“‘Any tithe of the land, from the grain of the land or from the fruit of the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.
But as for me, I promise to offer a sacrifice to you with a public declaration of praise; I will surely do what I have promised. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good.
Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?
Every one of you must give as you are able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.
Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.”
For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have.
‘Take an offering for the Lord. Let everyone who has a willing heart bring an offering to the Lord: gold, silver, bronze,
“But who am I and who are my people, that we should be in a position to contribute this much? Indeed, everything comes from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours.
Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God – which is your reasonable service.
And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
You must be certain to tithe all the produce of your seed that comes from the field year after year.In the presence of the Lord your God you must eat from the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the place he chooses to locate his name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always.
On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside some income and save it to the extent that God has blessed you, so that a collection will not have to be made when I come.
He blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth.went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).Worthy of praise is the Most High God, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
One person is generous and yet grows more wealthy, but another withholds more than he should and comes to poverty.A generous person will be enriched, and the one who provides water for others will himself be satisfied.
“Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You give a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you neglect what is more important in the law – justice, mercy, and faithfulness! You should have done these things without neglecting the others.
Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box.Then he said to them, “Nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.There will be great earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses.Therefore be resolved not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your defense.For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will have some of you put to death.You will be hated by everyone because of my name.Yet not a hair of your head will perish.By your endurance you will gain your lives.He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those who are inside the city must depart. Those who are out in the country must not enter it,because these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people.They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led away as captives among all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.“And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth nations will be in distress, anxious over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves.People will be fainting from fear and from the expectation of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.Then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud with power and great glory.But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees.He said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.When they sprout leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near.So also you, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.“But be on your guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap.For it will overtake all who live on the face of the whole earth.But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”So every day Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, but at night he went and stayed on the Mount of Olives.And all the people came to him early in the morning to listen to him in the temple courts.For they all offered their gifts out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had to live on.”
they brought in the contributions, tithes, and consecrated items that had been offered. Konaniah, a Levite, was in charge of all this, assisted by his brother Shimei.
By all these things, I have shown you that by working in this way we must help the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I have all I need because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent – a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, very pleasing to God.
And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, I tell you the truth, he will never lose his reward.”
No, this is the kind of fast I want. I want you to remove the sinful chains, to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke, to set free the oppressed, and to break every burdensome yoke.I want you to share your food with the hungry and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people. When you see someone naked, clothe him! Don’t turn your back on your own flesh and blood!
Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help.Do not say to your neighbor, “Go! Return tomorrow and I will give it,” when you have it with you at the time.
Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it.
Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.
“Tell the Israelites to take an offering for me; from every person motivated by a willing heart you are to receive my offering.
When you enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you occupy it and live in it,So now, look! I have brought the first of the ground’s produce that you, Lord, have given me.” Then you must set it down before the Lord your God and worship before him.You will celebrate all the good things that the Lord your God has given you and your family, along with the Levites and the resident foreigners among you.When you finish tithing all your income in the third year (the year of tithing), you must give it to the Levites, the resident foreigners, the orphans, and the widows so that they may eat to their satisfaction in your villages.Then you shall say before the Lord your God, “I have removed the sacred offering from my house and given it to the Levites, the resident foreigners, the orphans, and the widows just as you have commanded me. I have not violated or forgotten your commandments.I have not eaten anything when I was in mourning, or removed any of it while ceremonially unclean, or offered any of it to the dead; I have obeyed you and have done everything you have commanded me.Look down from your holy dwelling place in heaven and bless your people Israel and the land you have given us, just as you promised our ancestors – a land flowing with milk and honey.”Today the Lord your God is commanding you to keep these statutes and ordinances, something you must do with all your heart and soul.Today you have declared the Lord to be your God, and that you will walk in his ways, keep his statutes, commandments, and ordinances, and obey him.And today the Lord has declared you to be his special people (as he already promised you) so you may keep all his commandments.Then he will elevate you above all the nations he has made and you will receive praise, fame, and honor. You will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he has said.you must take the first of all the ground’s produce you harvest from the land the Lord your God is giving you, place it in a basket, and go to the place where he chooses to locate his name.
Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him.For he was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins when Melchizedek met him.So if perfection had in fact been possible through the Levitical priesthood – for on that basis the people received the law – what further need would there have been for another priest to arise, said to be in the order of Melchizedek and not in Aaron’s order?For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come as well.Yet the one these things are spoken about belongs to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever officiated at the altar.For it is clear that our Lord is descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests in connection with that tribe.And this is even clearer if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent but by the power of an indestructible life.For here is the testimony about him: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”On the one hand a former command is set aside because it is weak and useless,for the law made nothing perfect. On the other hand a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.To him also Abraham apportioned a tithe of everything. His name first means king of righteousness, then king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
He does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the ocean depths.He causes the clouds to arise from the end of the earth, makes lightning bolts accompany the rain, and brings the wind out of his storehouses.
In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.
And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work.
You must remember the Lord your God, for he is the one who gives ability to get wealth; if you do this he will confirm his covenant that he made by oath to your ancestors, even as he has to this day.
I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.
Evil men borrow, but do not repay their debt, but the godly show compassion and are generous.
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves purses that do not wear out – a treasure in heaven that never decreases, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Thus whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, they have their reward.But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing?Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are?And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life?Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin.Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these!But when you do your giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith?So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.so that your gift may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from mortal danger.
Then this stone that I have set up as a sacred stone will be the house of God, and I will surely give you back a tenth of everything you give me.”
For Macedonia and Achaia are pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.
Moses instructed them to take his message throughout the camp, saying, “Let no man or woman do any more work for the offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing any more.Now the materials were more than enough for them to do all the work.
With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you! I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good!
Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple eat food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar receive a part of the offerings?In the same way the Lord commanded those who proclaim the gospel to receive their living by the gospel.
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At the designated time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering to the Lord.But Abel brought some of the firstborn of his flock – even the fattest of them. And the Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering,but with Cain and his offering he was not pleased. So Cain became very angry, and his expression was downcast.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the nations, ascribe to the Lord splendor and strength!Ascribe to the Lord the splendor he deserves! Bring an offering and enter his courts!
The one who weeps as he walks along, carrying his bag of seed, will certainly come in with a shout of joy, carrying his sheaves of grain.
The one who is greedy for gain troubles his household, but whoever hates bribes will live.
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name.
“The first of the firstfruits of your soil you must bring to the house of the Lord your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.”
Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching.For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker deserves his pay.”
Remove falsehood and lies far from me; do not give me poverty or riches, feed me with my allotted portion of bread,lest I become satisfied and act deceptively and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I become poor and steal and demean the name of my God.
And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’
And as you Philippians know, at the beginning of my gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in this matter of giving and receiving except you alone.For even in Thessalonica on more than one occasion you sent something for my need.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water.
The one who gives to the poor will not lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses.
Now, to show my commitment to the temple of my God, I donate my personal treasure of gold and silver to the temple of my God, in addition to all that I have already supplied for this holy temple.
You must actively help the hungry and feed the oppressed. Then your light will dispel the darkness, and your darkness will be transformed into noonday.
How blessed is the one who treats the poor properly! When trouble comes, the Lord delivers him.As for you, O Lord, have mercy on me and raise me up, so I can pay them back!”By this I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.As for me, you uphold me because of my integrity; you allow me permanent access to your presence.The Lord God of Israel deserves praise in the future and forevermore! We agree! We agree!May the Lord protect him and save his life! May he be blessed in the land! Do not turn him over to his enemies!
“Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.Thus whenever you do charitable giving, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in synagogues and on streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth, they have their reward.But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
You must by all means lend to him and not be upset by doing it, for because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you attempt.
He generously gives to the needy; his integrity endures. He will be vindicated and honored.
Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia,So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means.For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have.For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality.At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality,as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you,because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, he is coming to you of his own accord.And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.In addition, this brother has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift to the glory of the Lord himself and to show our readiness to help.that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity.We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering.For we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men.And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you.If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ.Therefore show them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily,begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping the saints.And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
Worthy of praise is the Most High God, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the Lord with a willing attitude; King David was also very happy.
if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.
vindicates the oppressed, and gives food to the hungry. The Lord releases the imprisoned.
Then, when I arrive, I will send those whom you approve with letters of explanation to carry your gift to Jerusalem.And if it seems advisable that I should go also, they will go with me.
The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord, and the Lord will repay him for his good deed.
You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God,
You give food to them and they receive it; you open your hand and they are filled with food.
If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Throw your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended.
Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.
He raises the poor from the dirt, and lifts up the needy from the garbage pile,that he might seat him with princes, with the princes of his people.