How does Ezekiel 46:5 encourage us to honor God with our resources? The Text at a Glance Ezekiel 46:5: “The grain offering with the ram must be one ephah, and the grain offering with the lambs must be as much as he is able to give, along with one hin of oil for each ephah.” Key Observations • Specific, measurable generosity (one ephah with the ram) • Flexible, heart-driven generosity (“as much as he is able to give” with the lambs) • Consistent quality (a hin of oil accompanies each ephah, symbolizing richness and completeness) Principles for Honoring God with Our Resources • God deserves both set portions and free-will gifts. – Set portions remind us that giving is not optional (cf. Leviticus 27:30). – Free-will gifts reveal the sincerity of our love (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:7). • Proportional giving is expected. – “As much as he is able to give” respects individual capacity (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:2). • Excellence matters. – The added oil points to offering the best, not leftovers (cf. Malachi 1:8). • Regular worship includes material generosity. – Offerings were part of every temple gathering, showing that stewardship is worship (cf. Proverbs 3:9-10). Practical Ways to Live This Out Today • Establish a consistent, prayer-guided percentage of income to set aside first. • Add spontaneous gifts whenever God highlights a need or blesses you unexpectedly. • Give with quality—time, skills, and finances offered at their best, not their least. • Review and adjust your giving as God increases your “ability to give.” • Link giving to worship: include it in personal devotions, family worship, and corporate gatherings. Supporting Scriptures • Proverbs 3:9-10—“Honor the LORD with your wealth...” • Malachi 3:10—“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse...” • Luke 6:38—“Give, and it will be given to you...” • 2 Corinthians 9:6-8—“He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly...” Takeaway Ezekiel 46:5 shows that honoring God with our resources involves both faithful obedience in set offerings and generous freedom in additional giving, always marked by excellence and proportionate to His provision. |
    |