How can we apply the principle of generosity from Ezekiel 46:5 today? Setting the Scene Ezekiel 46:5: “The grain offering with the ram shall be one ephah, and the grain offering with the lambs shall be a gift of his hand, as much as he is able, along with a hin of oil for every ephah.” Key Observations • A fixed amount is stated for the ram, but a variable amount “as much as he is able” is given for the lambs. • The giver’s resources and willingness determine the offering’s size. • Generosity is woven into worship; giving isn’t an add-on but part of meeting with God. Timeless Principles • God expects giving to be proportionate to what we have (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:2). • Every believer can participate—no one is excused from generosity because their means are small (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:12). • Offerings flow from gratitude, not compulsion (cf. Exodus 25:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7). Practical Applications Today Budgeting generosity • Set a baseline amount for regular giving (like the “one ephah”). • Leave margin in your budget to give “as much as you are able” when needs arise. Supporting gospel work • Partner financially with missionaries, church plants, and local ministries, reflecting Israel’s support of temple worship. • Use recurring electronic giving to make generosity intentional, not incidental. Caring for the vulnerable • Establish a “mercy fund” in your personal finances to respond quickly to benevolence needs. • Volunteer time and skills in addition to money—generosity extends beyond currency. Celebrating feast-style giving • Host meals that gather believers and unbelievers, bearing the cost joyfully (cf. Luke 14:13). • Treat hospitality as worship, mirroring Israel’s sacrificial meals before the Lord. Training the next generation • Involve children in deciding where a portion of family income will go. • Model joyful, visible giving so they see generosity as normal Christian life. Guarding the Heart Behind the Gift • Give privately when possible to avoid seeking praise (Matthew 6:3-4). • Examine motives—gratitude and love, not guilt or prestige, should drive the gift. • Remember every gift ultimately belongs to God and returns to Him (1 Chronicles 29:14). Encouragement from Other Scriptures • Proverbs 11:25: “A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” • Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you: a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over…” • Hebrews 13:16: “And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Living It Out • Pray before each financial decision: “Lord, how can this reflect Your generosity?” • Keep testimonies of God’s provision; they fuel further giving. • Revisit your giving plan annually, asking, “Has God increased my ‘ability’ this year?” The pattern of Ezekiel 46:5—fixed commitment plus open-handed overflow—remains a clear, workable model for Spirit-led generosity today. |
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