The Joy in the Festival of Offerings:Genesis 4:3–5; Genesis 14:22–24; 2 Chronicles 31:10, Sermon by Father.Mungamuri Devadasu

 

Sermon . The Joy in the Festival of Offerings
Genesis 4:3–5; Genesis 14:22–24; 2 Chronicles 31:10; Malachi 3:10; Mark 12:41–44; Luke 21:1–4; 1 Corinthians 16:1–6; 2 Corinthians 8:1

To all who have come to the Festival of Offerings with hands full—O worshipers of the Lord—may blessings be upon you! And even to those who have come with hands not full, may a word of blessing appropriate to your measure be given unto you!

To those who offer their gifts with overflowing joy and gratitude, may the Lord grant acceptance like that which was given to Abel’s offering.

When we examine the offerings mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, certain truths become evident. Consider the following seven types of offerings recorded in the Bible:

1.      Offerings given freely, out of one’s own will,

2.     Offerings given in obedience to God’s command,

3.     Offerings given in response to God's promises,

4.     Offerings given in times of lack and poverty,

5.     Offerings given according to one’s ability,

6.     Offerings given beyond one’s ability,

7.      Sunday offerings (first day of the week contributions)—though the Bible gives no exact rule or amount, such offerings were practiced in the early church.

The Bible contains records of these seven distinct kinds of offerings, and if we were to gather and explain everything the Bible says about offerings, it would form a very large book.

Setting aside the types of offerings already discussed, when we look back over the past two thousand years of Christian history, it is astonishing to see how much Gospel work has been accomplished through the offerings given by both believers and unbelievers. A thought occurred to me: once a year, the whole congregation should gather in the church and observe a Harvest Festival for five or six days. During this festival, each day could be dedicated to reflecting on one of the seven types of offerings mentioned earlier—meditating on them, teaching about them, and singing songs related to them. What would be the result? The poor within the church would be blessed. There are no poor people because they gave to God; on the contrary, many who gave became blessed. Some gave to God and ate their meals with contentment. No one said, “We lacked because we gave.” There was no burden of debt, but rather, there was abundance. Those who gave still had more left to enjoy. When these matters are explained again and again, they bring peace to the soul.

Now I will briefly revisit the seven types of offerings mentioned earlier. But beyond those, there are two additional types, and one of them is of great significance. What is the new principle I want to share? Give according to your own free will. In the Bible, there are two individuals who gave voluntarily before any command from God to give offerings was ever given. If we were to ask them, “Why did you give?” they would reply, “God did not tell us to give; rather, there was a stirring in our spirit that we ought to give to God.”

It was a spiritual prompting. In today’s churches, even though preachers repeatedly say, “Give offerings during the festival,” only a few people give freely and wholeheartedly, and even fewer give full offerings with full hands. Abel gave voluntarily. He gave a lamb from his own flock—not something others had given him, but something he had raised himself.

1.      He gave willingly,

2.     He gave the best of what he had.

That is what makes it a true offering.

Whoever, on this day, comes with these three qualities—willingness, personal sacrifice, and excellence in their gift—can rejoice, for their offering is like Abel’s offering, an acceptable and pleasing gift in the sight of God.

Who is the second man referred to here? If we begin from Abel, found in Genesis chapter 4, and continue the journey, we come to this second man—Abraham. Abraham gave a tenth of his income to God. He gave a tithe—one-tenth—but God did not command Abraham to do so. He gave it out of his own free will. This first instance of tithing appears at the end of Genesis chapter 14.

From Genesis 14, this practice of tithing continues all the way to the last book of the Old Testament—Malachi. However, in the New Testament, which follows Malachi, the word "tithe" is not mentioned.

In Genesis, both Abel and Abraham offered gifts from their own hearts, through free will. These types of offerings—those made voluntarily—are carried forward into the New Testament.

No matter how much is given, if it is not given willingly, it is not truly a gift in God’s eyes.

1.      If someone gives only because another told them to,

2.     If they give because of a command,

3.     If they give without joy or willingness,

—then even if that offering appears great in the eyes of people, it is not acceptable to God. Even if it were as notable as Abel’s gift, or as significant as Abraham’s tithe, it would still not be pleasing to God unless given willingly.

In the Old Testament, God commanded the Jews to give offerings. Why? Because the Jews, in those times, were like small children among the nations. Just as parents instruct and guide their little ones, God guided them in a similar way.

For example, when a parent takes a child to a temple, they might put an offering into the child’s hand and say, “Give this.” Likewise, God taught the Israelites about offerings by introducing the tithe, the tenth part. But once those children grow up, become mature, and begin to work, their parents no longer need to place offerings in their hands. They are expected to give out of their own understanding and willingness.

In the same way, in the New Testament, God has left His church to give freely, as they are moved in their heart. He does not ask, “Why didn’t you give a tithe?” He leaves it to each person's free will.

Festival of Offerings – The Manner of Giving

1. Give only if you are willing – do not give under compulsion.
2. Give only if God has done good to you.
3. Give if you believe He will continue to do good in the future.
4. Give according to how much you are led in your heart.

Guidelines for giving:

• (a) Do not give out of pressure or force.
• (b) Do not give just because a pastor or leader said so.
• (c) Do not give thinking that your wealth will decrease because you gave to God.
• (d) Do not give if you think, "Though they say it's for God, the pastor is the one using it." If such thoughts are in your heart, do not give.

5. When you give, do not tell others—if you boast about your giving, you may lose the blessing.
6. Examine your heart—is it filled with gratitude when you give?
7. Give with the thought, "When can I give even more than this?" Always look forward, hoping to give greater offerings in the future.

Blessing: May God bless you. Amen.

Prayer: Lord, who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive", we thank You today for the gift of Your Word. You Yourself became the gift—our spiritual food. For that, we give You thanks. In the light of today’s Word, correct our inner hearts, and help us become people who offer gifts willingly and wholeheartedly from now on. We ask this in the holy name of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.