Today’s Reading, Ezekiel 46-48
Focal Scripture: Ezekiel 46:15 “They will offer the lamb, the grain offering, and the oil every morning as a regular burnt offering.”
Offerings are different than a tithe. One is a mandated amount that is to be given to the Lord. It literally means a tenth. The tithe was law and was required to be given by all the people. An offering is above the tithe and it was very personal. The offering was not made out of a legal obligation but out of a thankful heart for what the Lord has done. Offerings in my opinion require every part of a persons being. It requires the head, heart, and soul to be in tune with what the Lord is worthy to receive.
In today’s reading we see that the people will give offerings to the Lord. These offerings are to take care of their sin and help with a right relationship. These offerings are above and beyond the tithe. These offerings are for a specific purpose, to satisfy a Holy and righteous God. These offerings were to be made daily and in the morning.
So why am I making a distinction between tithe and offerings in today’s devotion? For far too long I have listened to people declare that the tithe is mandatory in today’s context. However, I can’t find that in the Bible. The tithe was a command that helped support the temple and the priests. The tithe was a specific amount that was to be given. For believers today we are not commanded to tithe but we are encouraged to give.
This distinction is important because what we give to the Lord is not a law but a prayerful and heartfelt decision. An offering is when a person examines their life and gives their time, talent, and money to support the church and minister to others. You see giving out of compulsion is not worship. That is a legal precedent. Giving because your heart has been stirred by the spirit is an offering.
I challenge you today to ask why you give to the Lord. Is it because you were told you have to or is it because the spirit has done a work in your life and you’re convicted to give out of a grateful heart. It makes a big difference in your attitude and in how you view your role in supporting the local church. Our hearts should be one that is full of gratitude. Our hearts should be willing to help others because we know what it is like to need help.
So have a heart that gives offerings to the Lord not tithes. We are not under legal obligation to give but we should have a heart that is generous. So what does your heart declare about your giving of your time, talent and resources?
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Daniel 1-3
