How does Ezekiel 45:13 instruct us to honor God with our resources? Context of Ezekiel 45:13 • Ezekiel 40–48 describes a future, restored worship system with detailed regulations for offerings. • Verse 13 zeroes in on a “contribution” (terumah) each Israelite is to bring: “a sixth of an ephah from each homer of wheat and a sixth of an ephah from each homer of barley”. • The specified fraction—about 1.67%—shows that God assigns an exact, tangible portion of daily produce for His purposes. What the Contribution Taught Israel • Ownership: Every sheaf of grain ultimately belonged to the Lord (Psalm 24:1). • Proportional giving: Each homer required the same fixed ratio, making generosity both fair and intentional. • Regularity: Grain harvests came annually; the law kept worship woven into ordinary work life. • Holiness: Setting apart the first part signaled that all remaining resources were touched by God’s blessing (Romans 11:16). Principles for Today • God still claims first place in all material matters (Proverbs 3:9–10). • Precision matters; vague good intentions rarely translate into faithful stewardship. • Percentage giving levels the field—whether income is large or small, the heart attitude is tested equally (Mark 12:41–44). • Offering something concrete reminds us that worship is more than words; it costs (2 Samuel 24:24). Practical Ways to Honor God with Resources 1. Calculate a set percentage of income as your starting “contribution,” mirroring the clarity of Ezekiel 45:13. 2. Give it first, not last, to underscore God’s priority. 3. Channel it into Christ-centered ministries: local church, missions, aid for the poor (Acts 4:34–35). 4. Review and adjust annually—growth in income should translate into growth in generosity (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). 5. Treat budgeting as worship: track spending to ensure God’s portion remains untouched. 6. Expand beyond money: dedicate time, skills, and possessions for kingdom work (Romans 12:1). Encouragement from Other Scriptures • Malachi 3:10—“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse… and test Me in this.” • Luke 16:10—“Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much.” • 1 Chronicles 29:14—“Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” • Hebrews 13:16—“Do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” By following the model of Ezekiel 45:13—planned, proportional, and priority giving—we tangibly declare that every resource we hold is entrusted to us by God and gladly returned for His glory. |
    |