The “Why” of an Offering

Central to the observance of God’s annual holy days is the imperative to appear before the Lord with an offering. Traditionally, members of the Church of God give voluntary, monetary donations on these holy days. Matt King, questioning whether this tradition has become common and meaningless for us, states that the giving of an offering carries important layers of meaning. We are free to give whenever we want, but we are required to give offerings on the Holy Days. Offerings reflect community and family events. The weekly and annual Sabbaths are symbols of a covenant, a plan, and a purpose that are important to God and Christ. Christ’s crucifixion evidences how important they should be to us.

Wealth represents our power—our ability to self-sustain and to get pleasure. Giving our wealth to God in a deliberate, thoughtful, and joyous manner follows the pattern that He set for us, and becomes an opportunity to emulate Him and to take on His character; it shows that we prioritize His purpose over our own dominion and pleasure. Offerings are acts of submission to, and in unity with, the Father. Thus, the attitude in which the offering is made is more important than the dollar amount given. The exercise is truly about developing His nature. The result of doing this correctly is a spiritual harvest, in which we receive the fruits of God’s nature. Such a harvest gives God great joy. Reflecting His mind on these high days is a wonderful gift to our Father, demonstrating to Him the caring, generous, self-sacrificial nature He seeks in His children. How profound and wonderful that this ceremony is done in a collective way. According to God’s instructions, we all take on the same mind and the same purpose. Offerings facilitate the unity of the body—one hope, one purpose, one Father, unified in Him through Christ.

Keywords:
Cannot serve two masters – Colossians 3:1 – Community – Consumerism – Deuteronomy 16:16, 23 – Ephesians 4:1 – Exodus 20:8; 23:15; 31:13-16 – Family Focus – Free moral agency – Fruits of the Spirit – Generous spirit – “Give” way – Giving attitude – Harvest – Holy Days – John 3:16 – Joy – Luke 2:41 – Matthew 5:46, 6:24 – Offerings – Philippians 2:5 – Priorities – Purpose – Reconciliation – Rejoicing – Sabbaths – Sacrifice – II Corinthians 9:6 – Sign – Spiritual blessings – Submission – Treasures – Unity with God