A heart for Giving
First Fruits - I give God My First and My Best He takes care of the rest!
First Fruits. Firstborn child or animal or first parts of any crop which, in Hebrew thought, were considered as holy and belonging to the Lord. The first fruits, as a foretaste of more to come, were offered to God in thanksgiving for his goodness in providing them.
Cain’s Rejected Offering
The issue of the Lord’s rejection of Cain’s offering and the acceptance of Abel’s has been debated. The majority view with both Christian and Jewish interpreters is that God rejected Cain’s offering because of Cain’s flawed character and impiety. However, others have argued that the Lord would only accept offerings through the shedding of blood, and this is why He rejected Cain’s offering. Those who hold this view see the story of Cain and Abel’s offerings as an example of early Israelite religion where only animal sacrifices were acceptable (Waltke, “Cain,” 363). A similar interpretation holds that God accepted the offering of Abel, a shepherd, as opposed to that of Cain, a farmer. This view is based on a theoretical observation of early Israelite animal offerings being superior to Canaanite agricultural offerings made to the Canaanite Baals (Waltke, “Cain,” 363).
Waltke argues against the views that God rejected Cain’s offering because it was bloodless or agricultural (Waltke, “Cain,” 364). Cain’s voluntary grain offering was classified the same as Abel’s voluntary fat offering. The gift brought forth would be based on the giver’s social status and work—in this case, a farmer and shepherd. The key in the text is that Abel’s offering came from the firstborn—and presumably best—of his flock. Cain’s offering, however, only came from some of his crop, not the synonymous firstfruit. Additionally, Cain’s anger in Gen 4:5 is an indicator of the condition of his heart, and his response to the Lord in Gen 4:9 serves as his own condemnation of his murdering Abel. Waltke also appeals to the New Testament’s description of Cain and Abel to distinguish Cain’s wickedness from Abel’s righteousness. He points to Heb 11:4, which says that by faith Abel offered a better sacrifice than Cain. Additionally, 1 John 3:12 describes Cain’s actions as evil, and Jude 10–11 implies that Cain reasoned like an animal (Waltke, “Cain,” 371).
Tithe - If I honour God with my first and my best He takes care of the rest
TITHE Tenth part, especially as offered to God. Abraham presented a tithe of war booty to the priest-king of Jerusalem, Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18–20). Jacob pledged to offer God a tithe of all his possessions upon his safe return (Gen. 28:22). The tithe was subject to a variety of legislation. Numbers 18:20–32 provides for support of the Levites and the priests through the tithe.
Offerings - I honour God with planned seasonal offerings
Offerings - I honour God with planned seasonal offerings
Burnt Offering. Form of Israelite sacrifice in which a choice animal offered to make atonement for sin was completely consumed by fire (Lv 1).
Terminology
The Old Testament uses two general terms for offerings (NIDOTTE 3:980):
1. “that which is brought near” (קָרְבָּן, qorban), which is most common in priestly materials; and
2. “gift” (מִנְחָה, minchah), which is most common in non-priestly materials
Sacrificial Offerings
Almost all biblical instructions on offerings are incorporated in instructions for sacrifice, which appears to have been the preferred form of offering
Non-Sacrificial Offerings
The Bible provides few regulations for non-sacrificial offerings, possibly due to their cultural commonality and largely unregulated nature. Non-sacrificial offerings are most often found accompanying a sacrifice.
Here are some of the Offerings people prepared for ...
Free Will Offerings - Unexpected but all in!
FREEWILL OFFERING Gift given at the impulse of the giver (Exod. 35:21–29; 36:3–7; Lev. 7:16). The distinctive mark of the freewill offering was the “stirred hearts” and “willing spirits” of the givers. The tabernacle was constructed using materials given as freewill offerings (Exod. 35:29). The people’s desire to give was so great that Moses was compelled to ask that no more gifts be given (Exod. 36:3–7). Freewill offerings were traditionally given at Pentecost (Deut. 16:10). See Sacrifice and Offering.
36 “Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.”
2 And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. 3 And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, 4 so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, 5 and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.” 6 So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.
Alms - Care for the needs of others in Jesus name
Alms - Care for the needs of others in Jesus name
ALMS Gifts for the poor.
30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”