FREEWILL OFFERINGS
Leviticus 1: 1-17
One of the things emphasized in this series about offerings has been the issue of willingness. Offerings must be brought from a willing mind. The one who offers must determine by himself what he would bring to God. It should not be by compulsion or as a result of manipulation.
But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 1:6-7
In this quoted passage, it is emphasized that each one of us must purpose in our hearts what we should give. We should also do it cheerfully and not as if someone compels us to do so. Even though our leaders may guide us on what to give especially when it comes to kingdom projects, it is still our responsibility to decide and do so willingly. We must understand that it is a matter of the heart and God sees and reckons with the heart. He knows what you are thinking and why. He knows what you are capable of giving and expects you to give it with a willing heart.
If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. Leviticus 1:3
While the offering must be by free will, it is still guided by qualifications. It must be without blemish. This means it must be of good quality. It is not a matter of just bringing anything. Your freewill offerings must be qualitative as well as quantitative. But as it has been said, God knows your heart. He knows what you are capable of. He does not compare you with somebody else. That is why there is provision for what each can give according to one’s capacity. It can be from the “herd, flocks or fowls”. These animals are in their sizes and reflect what the offerer can afford. You don’t have to go below your level because it is a freewill offering. Neither should you put yourself under unnecessary burden because you want to show off.
The scriptures gave us several examples of free-will offerings. These are offerings made by choice of the giver and given of his own volition to the Lord. In this series on offerings, it is essential that we examine some of them for more understanding and guidance. This shall be our focus in the next few days.
MEDITATION: He shall offer it of his own voluntary will.
